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
Melvin
July 5th, 2012
12:51 pm
The trade with the Nets will not be finalize until July 11 so the Nets can S&T Stevenson. Therefore the Hawks can not trade Farmer before then.
Astro Joe
July 5th, 2012
12:51 pm
Oh, and if that is what”all in” means, then that is pretty much selling your soul. not to the devil, but it is selling your soul (and diminishing Ferry’s authority regarding the head coach hire).
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
12:52 pm
I don’t see Ferry as being interested in a guy like TMac. I love TMac as a player, but the guy has a serious attitude problem on every team he’s ever been on.
KevinM
July 5th, 2012
12:57 pm
JJ, “I’m also not sure that I want Richardson creating offense at the end of a game. I want my point guard taking on that responsibility.”
I only mentioned having JRich as an option at the end of games, not as the creator of an option. The guy has a very good jump shot.
The nimbers for JRich and Turk were very similar in the playoffs against Indy, but if I didn’t want 7.5M tied up with our SF last year, I definitely don’t want 11.6M tied up with Turk this year.
Is JRich 30% value of Joe? I’d say he’s better than that, and that is in salary terms(5.8M) vs. Joe (19.752M) and playoff points (11.4 vs. 17.2).
I’d say JRich is the more affordable of the 2 to have him in our lineup.
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
1:00 pm
Melvin…Hawks can “agree in principal” to a trade of Farmar to be executed on July 11th. Same thing they’ve done with the Nets and Jazz. The Joe Johnson trade would just in essence become a 3-team trade with Farmar going to a 3rd team. Farmar can be moved if the Hawks choose to.
KevinM
July 5th, 2012
1:03 pm
GM survey Jan, 2012 on the best defenders in the NBA:
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando — 76.9%
Also receiving votes: Arron Afflalo, Denver; Shane Battier, Miami; Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee; Kevin Garnett, Boston; Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee; Dwyane Wade, Miami
Last year: Dwight Howard — 77.8%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the NBA?
1. Tony Allen, Memphis — 26.9%
2. Rajon Rondo, Boston — 15.4%
T3. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 11.5%
T3. LeBron James, Miami — 11.5%
T3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 11.5%
Also receiving votes: Arron Afflalo, Denver; Shane Battier, Miami; Luol Deng, Chicago; Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit; Dwyane Wade, Miami
Last year: Kobe Bryant — 35.7%
Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando — 88.9%
Also receiving votes: Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee; Kevin Garnett, Boston; Kendrick Perkins, Oklahoma City
Last year: Dwight Howard — 92.6%
Which is the best defensive team in the NBA?
1. Chicago — 66.7%
T2. Boston — 11.1%
T2. Miami — 11.1%
Also receiving votes: Memphis, Milwaukee, San Antonio
Last year: Boston — 75.0%
And which coach runs the best offense?
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. George Karl, Denver — 22.2%
2. Rick Adelman, Minnesota — 18.5%
T3. Rick Carlisle, Dallas — 11.1%
T3. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 11.1%
T5. Mike Brown, L.A. Lakers — 7.4%
T5. Mike D’Antoni — New York — 7.4%
Also receiving votes: Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City; Dwane Casey, Toronto; Doug Collins, Philadelphia; Erik Spoelstra, Miami; Tom Thibodeau, Chicago; Stan Van Gundy, Orlando
Last year: Jerry Sloan — 35.7%
Notice Sloan was above everyone, including Phil Jackson in 2011. He would be my target to move LD.
Sloan and D12 could be a very good tandem if given the opportunity.
Melvin
July 5th, 2012
1:06 pm
Astro,
I see no problem with player input for a coaching hiring. Heck, even on a 9-5 job you may have employees sit-in on interviews of their new prospective Boss. Most teams with establish superstars will get input from their star player. If coaching input will help to get Howard to sign long term than “I’m all in”.
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2012
1:10 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.