Atlanta Hawks: What about Dwight?
Almost immediately after Hawks GM Danny Ferry took what were most definitely not half measures the speculation turned to whether it’s all just a prelude to a trade for Dwight Howard.
All of the usual dots have been connected: Howard wants out of Orlando, Howard is from Atlanta, and he’s boys with Josh Smith. But the one blank I have yet to see filled in is a desire by Howard to play for his hometown franchise over the long term.
In fact, the only thing I’ve ever heard is the opposite. Howard used to regularly attend Dream games at Phillips Arena during summers. Witnesses tell me that Howard would tell anyone who would listen that Philips is supposed to be his house but “they don’t know how to act.” And by “they” he of course means the team’s owners and management.
And then there were Howard’s comments during the 2011 playoffs, when he said he hates losing, “especially to the Hawks.” Asked to elaborate, Howard, annoyed by the question, snapped: “Come on. You know the answer to that.”
The answer is that Howard, like his pal Smith, doesn’t view the Hawks as a serious franchise. Or at least he didn’t back then. Obviously Danny Ferry is trying to change the perception of the Hawks, so maybe Howard (and/or Smith) changes his mind.
There’s been no word that’s happened so far, though. Howard still wants a trade to the Nets, who now are in no hurry to move him.
The Magic and Hawks had trade discussions over the past week involving Howard and I’m sure they are ongoing. But I don’t think Ferry is willing to trade Al Horford and the four years remaining on his reasonable contract for one year of Howard and all the associated drama.
The Hawks had serious trade discussions with Orlando for Howard back in December, the early days of the Dwightmare. Atlanta apparently was willing to make the deal without an assurance that Howard would even opt-in for next season. Horford was the main piece in that proposed deal.
But I don’t see the Hawks as being willing to trade for Howard without a long-term commitment now. That’s especially true if Orlando, as reported, is looking to unload one of its bad contracts as part of any deal for Howard.
The Hawks clearly would do that if Howard declares he’ll sign an extension here. Until that happens I doubt Howard will have a homecoming.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,008 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
July 4th, 2012
9:17 am
Lil’ Ray, you should read the article about Eric Gordon. Dude has fallen in love with the Phoenix organization and point blank said “my heart is in Phoenix”. Yesh, New Orleans can match but they may not have the most ready-to-play guy on their hands. (Not to mention that Gordon and Rivers play the same position).
Lil'Ray(formerly Ray)
July 4th, 2012
9:18 am
@ DMB
Yeah Wojnaroswki reported it on his twitter account that they would match it. I mean I knew Gordon wasn’t going to leave Hornets that easily.
Wonder what’s going on with Big man Roy Hibbert right now haven’t heard much of anything since the max offer from Portland.
Lil'Ray(formerly Ray)
July 4th, 2012
9:21 am
@ Astro Joe
Lamar Odom’s Heart was with Lakers they apparently didn’t give a crap just saying.
They’ll match it he might eventually end up in Phoenix just not this go around.
Jason S
July 4th, 2012
9:24 am
“The Hawks need a true Center.” – a lot of people on the blog
But the Hawks have (arguably) the 3rd best center in the league, and one of the best back up centers in the league. Yeah, the Hawks’ All NBA starter is a bit of a “tweener” but I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but the so-called “tweeners” are becoming the “true centers” in the NBA. The day of the dominant 7-footers being the standard is all but over. The Hawks are fine at the C position.
On the other hand, have any of you noticed the gaping hole at SF and the lack of starting quality players at SG?
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
9:28 am
Slim, on your question about D12 and Josh playing high school ball together….
D12, Josh and our very own Randolph Morris were teammates on the AAU Atlanta Celtics. Once school was back, Josh was at Oak Hill ( with Rondo ) D12 was with GAC here with his pops as AD and Morris was at his school Landmark Christian.
D12 never went up against Josh in high school, and D12’s main rival was Morris.
D12’s team won the state A championship beating zmorris along the way.
Josh and D12 go back to daycare….check out this link an she quote D12 made:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/smith-howards-history-goes-523254.html
It just makes sense for Danny to try and make this happen. He will have his Batman and Josh will be Robin. All we need now is a Steve Nash. That’s my big 3!
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
9:31 am
With PHX offering Nash 6M for 2 years, you don’t think Danny could put together a better package if he is able to reel in D12?
It’s a win now approach, and no long term bad contracts hindering their progress.
Manny
July 4th, 2012
9:38 am
Can I just say that if you look at our pieces of Horford, Josh Smith and Teague pushing it- we finally have a nucleus of running, athletic and youthful offense and defense? I mean, we can run people out of gyms?
So instead of getting Dwight, we get a young, fast SF and a fast, creative SG- we may have something?
In other words: What I’m saying is that if the Magic wants the equivalent of what the Nets are offering: I mean either Horford OR Teague, we should turn it down. Let’s be that team with massive cardio that can truly run a Motion Offense for a change. I wouldn’t give the Magic the athleticism for Howard. We can see how it goes and pick him up next season if he hits free agency. If not and he joins the Nets or the Mavs, that’s fine. We can upgrade in free agency too. We got the cash! (Hee! Hee! “The Hawks got the cash!” That just sounds weird!)
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 4th, 2012
9:39 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/07/03/video-on-danny-ferrys-big-trades-and-the-new-look-hawks/
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
9:39 am
For those who say the days of the big man are over, why is there teams out there still coveting the bug man? LAL has the big front line..they just need a PG to show them the way.
Indy / Portland is obsessed with big men / Dallas and their need for Chandler
You have to have a team that present mismatches….Miami did that this year. But can they defend a big frontline? I don’t see how
12 doesn’t give us that big advantage over them. And ORL always played them tough in any game.
We have to have a team that is different than the LeBron model. Strong at the point and strong in the paint might be enough of a difference.
Do we have room right now to go after Nash while the ORL talks are ongoing? I believe we would have to move a 4M salary off our roster to do so correct?
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
9:41 am
DrMaryB:
Hangin’ for an old man.
Hope you are well. Still working with that football team?
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
9:42 am
FERRY’s going to improve the HAWKS into a championship caliber team, if the ownership will let him.
Rufus1
July 4th, 2012
9:42 am
I think the Hawks have a 50/50 shot a D12…
I am not sure if Teague/Al are not a better package than Bynum. I think Teague is going to be a STUD. I also believe that would stay in the ATL, because of the extra 25mil he could get from the team that signs him.
But…..
If we don’t get D12/CP3, this was a WASTE… We had enough expiring contracts and assets to tweak the roster and become a different more competitive team.
We still could have done the Marvin/Harris trade… With Josh(13.2mil), Harris(8.5mil) and Zaza(5.2mil) that would have been about 27mil coming off the books in 2013(about 23mil under the cap).
I am not hating on what he(Ferry) did, but it looks like he took the riskier approach.
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
9:45 am
Manny, will Al and Josh under LD still try and lead the break? I just don’t think we can have that going on. To me, that still sounds like the ‘BK’ way of doing things.
I don’t see Al as enough of a diff maker. If he was, we wouldn’t always be looking for a big man to play C for us.
We have that overlap in talent at PF, and that hurts this team. Al or Josh at PF, I dont care, but move the other for a guy with the skillset for a specific position other than PF.
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
9:55 am
DrMaryB:
Yes, my grandson’s coming for eight days depending on how far they get in the play-offs. Last year, the team [VIRGINIA CARDINALS] placed 17th out over 100+ teams. Since my wife’s ill, I don’t suppose I’ll be going this year, but I sure wish I was.
Does the AJC carry results of the EAST COAST play in the paper or on-line? My grandson’s name is TYLER ALLEN – CF. He’s going to join the K.C. ROYALS for a try-out in October in JUPITER, FLA. Had one here in RICHMOND for the GIANTS in June. I’m not quite sure what the official capacity of these camps are other than to be seen by pro scouts. People are filling his head with $$$$-signs, something he’s not adverse to, but he does have the smarts to succeed in college..
I treasure the rememberance of our early time here on the HAWKS blog. My one torrid blog-encounter!
STRETCH
July 4th, 2012
9:58 am
How about Rashard Lewis at SF??
A source told The Post the Knicks were on Lewis’ short list, along with the Heat, Lakers, Spurts and Hawks. Lewis, who can play small forward at 6-foot-10, is looking to sign for the $3.09 million mini mid-level exception after pocketing a $13.7 million buyout from the Hornets. New York Post
MsDee
July 4th, 2012
9:58 am
Have you guys ever thought also the reason Dwight is being so difficult, not only cause he is being a baby but also he could be trying to sock it to Orlando since he says they ‘arm stronged’ him into opting back in. He could very well be making it hard for Orlando to get anything back from him to get back at them. No team wants to rent him for a season HOPING he signs with them. If thats the case, I really hope Ferry waits til end of season for Dwight to come home. Josh probably already knows what his buddy is planning on going and I sure hope its to da ATL, w/o the pain of losing Teague nor Horford in the process. Mann, if Ferry could pull this off……………….
doc
July 4th, 2012
10:05 am
Wassup my friend richie?
Good for the shout out bruh. Heh heh
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
10:05 am
RASHARD LEWIS decided to sit out the rest of the short-season rather than play, and risk further injury. WIZ got good value for him, and some cap-relief as well. I think he’s still got game, but he really didn’t show it in the DMV.
Jason S
July 4th, 2012
10:05 am
@Stretch: I would like Rashard Lewis as a one year value signing at SF.
Horford
Smith
Lewis
[committee]
Teague or Harris
would be a fairly competitive starting five.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 4th, 2012
10:06 am
richbrave!
Yes Sirrr … The AtlantaXplosion are the reigning 2011 World Champions. However, we just lost the round one, first playoff game to The Houston Energy last Saturday in Houston. 21-20.
Our team is loaded with rookies, but the future looks great for us next season. It sure is great to see you on here today. I hope the best for your grandson and his Baseball Future.
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
10:07 am
doc:
My main man. What do you make of this trade of ISO JOE and the desire of a lot of pundits in the DMV to acquire JORDAN FARMAR for……….
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
10:11 am
DrMaryB:
Thanx luv. He’s got some game. Sure wish the BRAVES were interested, but nothing in the wind, and besides, he’s a YANKEES fan like his dad. Not much chance to the HOTLANTA methinks.
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
10:13 am
doc:
Is J-CRIT out of jail, or did he really kill somebody and go in long-term?
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 4th, 2012
10:15 am
Blog-Daddy!
richbrave is my Blog-Daddy, he schooled me on blog ettiquette, as a blog virgin, I had no clue how to behave and sometimes now, i still don’t. lol
one thing for sure is, i was raw and real. my first fist fight was with Big-Ray and his backup “doc”. i treated them like an “unpaid electric bill” I PUT THEIR LIGHTS OUT! day one! Not to worry, richbrave had my back and, showed me the strings. what a hot mess of fun that was.
do you remember the times, doc? lol … i didn’t have a clue about this blog thing. hahaha … oh my, the good ole dog days of that – Summer of 2007. I showed up and first punched The Po-Po, then his Surgeon – all in the first five minutes on here. lol
Astro Joe
July 4th, 2012
10:18 am
Can Rashard defend SFs? I’d take Rashard and someone like Pietrus for a year (especially if we’re not adding a big-time player this summer).
MsDee, he could be doing that but there is a cost to him. He can only sign a 4 year deal with another team next year if he leaves the Magic high and dry. However, if he accepts a trade, then he could sign a 5 year deal with his new team. Even a S&T with the Magic next summer can only be for 4 years.
Asusuming that his agent has explained these rules to him, then D12 may be risking ~$20M if he is trying to stick it to the Magic. Can he make that up? Yes, assuming that his back issues (or any other significant injury) doesn’t lower this value in 4 years.
boxxiethebull
July 4th, 2012
10:18 am
horford for dwight is not a good move…..expiring contracts for howard only….we’ll take turkuglo off their hands since we need a small foward anyway….horford smith howard will be a beast with or without cp3….horford smith cp3 will be a beast with or without howard….the hawks are in a good position….
doc
July 4th, 2012
10:19 am
Richie farmar will never wear a hawks jersey. He is destined to be bought out for 1.5 mil so that will free up 4.5 cap space.
JJ is gone and Marvin as well. Not many crying over the latter and only a few on the former. Man the guy was good and solid but never quite won the hearts of the masses. A saying i heard early in my life from a very smart and powerful gm in industry was 1/3 love you, 1/3 dont like you. It is the other third you got to worry about. JJ never got that other 1/3 even close. He was the best pure shooter since Smith and Lou Hudson, both with a strong following of love. Anyway he takes his game to NJ and is paired with a guy he should have been paired with from the get go in Williams.
This could break Hawks fans hearts, bring up old festering wounds and more hate to the name of Billy Knight who made the fateful call that night for Marvin if they set the New York rags on fire. Oh woe was me before Danny.
Hope the wife’s health improves.
doc
July 4th, 2012
10:23 am
Yes DMB rememba the days well. You havent changed baby. You are still wraslin in mud with us.
Jcrit went down the wrong side richie, should have stayed in school for some wisdom and maturity because the fast lane done him in.
Astro Joe
July 4th, 2012
10:26 am
Mary, you’re a trip.
Back to Dwight. I take him at his word. I think he prefers the Nets and the Nets are telling him that they are still after him. At the same time, the Nets made the deals “in hand” with Wallace, Joe, Deron, Evans and the Euro PF. They have a more complex deal to work through to acquire Howard, but they have likely told him to hang tight for a few more days. And since that is his ideal landing spot, he is likely chilling on an island, thinking about contingency plans. At worse, the Nets start the season with Lopez, Evans, Wallace, Joe & Deron. Plus Brooks, the Euro PF and other pieces (surely they will attract some quality players to hang with Jay-Z for their inaugural season in Brooklyn). Not exactly an awful “worse case” considering where they have been with Petro, Stevenson, Morrow and others (oops, those are our guys now, my bad). My guess is the Nets got left at the altar when Howard opted in before the trade deadline and they decided not to go dateless in case he changes his mind again.
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
10:28 am
I’m talking draft here…..
Well, BK got is 1/2 right while he was here.
Sund got it 1/4 right when he was here, or should I say Pendergraft?
Ferry is batting 1.000 at this point, so take it easy on him if he makes a decision and we don’t understand it.
And how giddy is John Jenkins right now knowing he has a wide open shot at a starting slot? Quite a reach, yes, but a shot.
Is LD just throwing darts at a Ferry dartboard today?
doc
July 4th, 2012
10:32 am
Good point in that last sentence AJ. Dwight has not endeared himself to the idea of being consistant, having integrity and following through on his word nor being accountable to it. Looks kinda flaky.
Lil'Ray(formerly Ray)
July 4th, 2012
10:33 am
Well Since this guy hasn’t used my other handle I’m going back to the original.
It’s funny though people saying that because certain teams were playing the finals we’re done with 7′0 Centers I beg to differ very highly on that.
After Detroit Pistons won it all back in 2005 I think it was people said it back then. All of sudden Spurs, Boston, Lakers, and Mavs came back oh yeah forgot the Heat who had Shaq.
This is one of those years where yes a very different team won it all, but trust me 85% of the time to get to the finals if you have a dominant Big man you’ll make it.
MsDee
July 4th, 2012
10:43 am
If Ferry could pull this off, our team would look like this b4 CP3:
Teague/Harris
Morrow/Jenkins/Stevenson
Josh/John Shurna(summer league invitee)/Jordan Williams
Horford/Ivan/Scott
Howard/Zaza/Petro
When season ends, do a sign n trade with the Clippers for CP3 and Caron Butler for Harris or Teague(want to always keep Teague), Horford, and some future draft picks.
Team would then look like this:
CP3/Teague or Harris
Morrow/Jenkins
Caron/John Shurna(summer league camp invitee)
Josh/Ivan/Scott
Dwight/Zaza/Petro
Lil'Ray(formerly Ray)
July 4th, 2012
10:46 am
@ MsDee
My question is how you pulling this trade off???
Talking about to bring Howard here you just added him in the lineup with no trade which believes me to think you can just get Dwight Howard for all draft picks basically.
HAWKS
July 4th, 2012
10:51 am
D12 TO ATL!!!!
http://twitpic.com/a3l0n0
Macaroni Tony
July 4th, 2012
10:58 am
@ Hawks I think we all should do a petition to make this photo go viral.
TNScott
July 4th, 2012
11:04 am
Kevin M @ 9:39
“For those who say the days of the big man are over, why is there teams out there still coveting the bug man?”
I don’t know maybe they just didn’t hire the right exterminator in the first place. Call Orkin!!!
vava74
July 4th, 2012
11:38 am
I am not very fond of Howard but he sure looks good in that Hawks uniform.
Great photoshop job.
richbrave
July 4th, 2012
11:40 am
doc:
“…..,1/3 love you, 1/3 dont like you. It is the other third you got to worry about…….”
As in political contests, it’s the independents we’re trying to woo to our side. This time in three swing states VA., PA., OHIO there’s only 20% uncommitted. That’s not good for one side or the other, I’m not sure which.
northcyde
July 4th, 2012
11:45 am
I wonder what Josh Powell thinks about Howard wearing his old number?
It is amazing how the perception of this franchise literally changed in what was a 48 hour span. The JJ trade rumor drops late Saturday night, and by Monday evening, both he and Marvin were gone, and we all of a sudden leaped into the top 3 to get Dwight.
The question now is . . . can Josh Smith and Al Horford co-exist as a duo if we don’t get Dwight? I’m sure with JJ gone, Josh will get top billing as the face of the franchise and the last player introduced. I don’t think that would adversely affect Horford, even if he felt he was the best player on the team now.
But if it were the other way around, I think that would play on Smith’s psyche, and may turn him off. In a contract year, Smith will try to play like an All-Star and do a lot of things.
I hope he plays well enough to make the All-Star team ( which still will be difficult to do, seeing that the East still has Lebron, Melo, Bosh, Garnett, Iggy, and Granger at the forward spots. ).
He’ll never get voted in as an All-Star starter, so he’ll have to play well enough for the coaches to finally reward the dude. Meanwhile, the path for Horford to make his 3rd All-Star team may have gotten easier with Hibbert and possibly even Howard going out West. If that happens, the fan vote will come down between Horford and Chandler ( who will probably win due to being in NY ). The coaches love Horford, so he’ll still get voted in.
How would THAT play on Smith’s mind? To be billed as the best player on the Hawks, and do all he can to put up good numbers, only to see Horford get voted in AGAIN, with him sitting at home?
It would be hard for a player to turn down an extra 15 – 18 million dollars, but I could see Smith possibly mulling over playing for a higher profile team if he had a great year, but still got an All-Star snub.
I just hope the dude stays focused next year, and don’t let stuff like that eat away at him. We’ll truly see this season if Smith and Horford can co-exist with each other, if we don’t land Howard in ATL.
Melvin
July 4th, 2012
11:50 am
Only way Howard gets to Brooklyn is if the Nets find a third team to facilitate a trade. The Magic have stated that they are not enthusiastic with paying Lopez close to max dollars which further complicate things if the Nets give him a big contract. Good luck with that. I believer Howard and he’s peoples will exhaust every avenue to get to Brooklyn before they start looking at a plan B. And right now, it’s probably too early for them to commit to a plan B.
As for the Hawks, if the sign Rashard Lewis and Pietus. They may help in the recruitment of Howard. Remember he was upset when those guys were traded from Orlando.
Melvin
July 4th, 2012
11:59 am
John Shurna jumer looks like Josh Childress with a quicker release…. Heck, he even have a puffy hair cut like Josh Childress…LOL
KevinM
July 4th, 2012
12:06 pm
TNScott, my iPad bad spelling…..the BIG MAN!
NBA-TV has us as the darkhorse in the D12 sweeps.
ESPN/Gottlieb is only giving the Nets a shot at D12….big market, lots of future marketing at stake.
No gauge on this one….ORL has to decide who has the best offer.
Is the NJ offer the best so far? I’m waiting for a Hawks package rumor to get in there to see how close we are.
Walt Frazier
July 4th, 2012
12:07 pm
What lots of people don’t realize, is that the Hawks still need a quality dominant center that can score. Zaza can give you half a season. Dwight will be that person we can build the team around. Josh will be willing to resign with the Hawks if the Hawks landed Dwight. Otherwise, Josh will be a free agent next year. Trust Danny Ferry to make another bold move by mid-August. The Hawks can get a better pick for Josh now, rather than to wait till next year and lose Josh for nothing.
SteveW
July 4th, 2012
12:07 pm
JJ trade revisited:
During the days preceding the draft, most on here wanted to get out from under JJ’s contract. They knew the way forward for the franchise started there.
A couple of trades I remember:
JJ for the Cavs #24, 33 and 34 picks
JJ for the Wiz #46 and Rashard Lewis
JJ to GSW for picks #30 and 35
Again 80-90% knew if we could get something of value for JJ, it would be a good deal.
Morrow is a good player.
Farmar is a good player.
We also got a 1st pick, that depending on what Houston does, figures to be in the 15 – 20 range.
We got an end of the bench warm body big that at least has 6 fouls to give in Petro.
Jordan Williams is 6-10 260 and some potential.
And some wanted a lockdown wing defender. Check. Got that in Stevenson.
Morrow, Farmar, and a 1st pick for JJ is not a bad deal considering the contract.
We got the best two years out of JJ’s contract – he was youngest and cheapest. 2 All Star years out of it.
And we got a former All Star PG, who averaged over 15 and 6 the final 2 months of the season with the Jazz once he got used to the system for the untradeable Marvin Williams. He’s still in his 20’s (barely). And Harris contract is for 1 year, not the 2 Marvin has left (if he picks up his player option).
In conclusion – We’ve had a good week, and are in great shape cap wise moving forward.
And we still have the mid-level and the bi-annual to realistically use.
And yes I’m for Rashard Lewis being our starting 3. Grant Hill and TMac aren’t bad options’ either.
BIG DOG
July 4th, 2012
12:07 pm
Go get D12, if any no basketball your not winning unless there is a superstar on your team.
Danny, Josh, and Morrow need get on the Phone and call D12 for a dam reiunoin, and say hey man bring your dam A$$ back home ASAP so ATL can finally get a championship.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
northcyde
July 4th, 2012
12:08 pm
As for Rashard Lewis, surely the Hawks don’t pimp themselves out like that, just to try to lure Howard to ATL. That dude hasn’t been an effective player for a while now. Weak rebounder. 3 point shot is average to slightly below average. Weak defender.
The people in Philips would go crazy seeing he and Smith get into a “which PF can miss the most 3s in a game” contest.
People call the mid-range shot “the worst shot in the game”. But the truth is that a lot of these guys should be taking mid-range jumpers, instead of jacking up 3s by the boatloads. And that’s because most of these guys only have college 3 point range on most nights.
Lewis is one of those guys.
If he simply stopped jacking up a ton of 3s, he’d be a better asset to a team. Unless we’re dead set on tanking the season, don’t bring Lewis to ATL.
Walt Frazier
July 4th, 2012
12:11 pm
Pink elephat in the room: Larry Drew. When will we see a coaching change?
SteveW
July 4th, 2012
12:15 pm
Morrow is probably worth a back end of the first round 1st pick
Same with Farmar really
And we got Houston’s 1st pick in the deal for next season, lottery protected.
So we received 3 1st picks for JJ realistically. And we gave up 3 to get him, Diaw and 2 more. Use him for 6 years, during his prime, and ditch him as he ages and the contract goes toxic.
Not a bad deal.
Ray
July 4th, 2012
12:15 pm
Changing my name back this time I at least I hope it shows it changed my name back.
If we get rid of Horford for D12 one thing I’d like to see is us go after Ersan Ilyasova he is someone who can play the PF spot pretty darn good.
I don’t want to give up on Jeff Teague I say trade Devin Harris to ATL instead with Horford for Dwight Howard. Plus the Rockets protected pick.