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
northcyde
July 3rd, 2012
12:38 pm
From MC:
“The Nets 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.”
If this is true, the Hawks definitely want a commitment from Howard that he will sign an extension before this deal is approved. If they don’t want to risk losing Horford just for a one year rental of Howard, the deal will either be nixed, or the deal will be re-done with Smith as the guy to go.
The fact that there is no indication that Smith will sign long term with the Hawks, probably has Ferry a little gun shy about going all out. We’ll see how this plays out though.
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
I would not take that risk – no trade unless it’s for a longterm signing.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:39 pm
@BIG DOG
We have money to resign them. Why would smith leave if we have the potential to make the NEW big 3?!?!?!
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
12:40 pm
Tommy,
maybe cause its NOT TRUE
i_am_soulstar
July 3rd, 2012
12:40 pm
The thing about acquiring Dwight Howard and giving up important pieces is that if you can’t convince him to stay, you can ship him to a championship or bust team for some of their important pieces.
northcyde
July 3rd, 2012
12:42 pm
And Big Dog, how many times do you have to be told that Dwight Howard is NOT a free agent this summer, and simply has to go wherever he’s traded?
Now he may not STAY in ATL long term without Josh, but it’s the Magic that has all of the control here. That’s why they’re talking to more teams other than the Nets. That is why the Hawks, Rockets, and Lakers are supposedly in play, despite the Rockets and Hawks not being on Howard’s “wish list”.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Kane337
July 3rd, 2012
12:33 pm
“We got a 2013 pick from the Nets that is “lottery protected”. What exactly does that mean?”
My understanding is if the Nets #1 pick which has been traded to Atlanta turns out to be a “lottery pick” [1-14], then the Nets get to keep it..If the pick slides down past the Lottery slots, then the Hawks get to keep..Is that correct Northcyde, Just Joe?
welikebaseball2
July 3rd, 2012
12:44 pm
Thanks you MC! Folks, Howard is not coming here…at least not via trade….& not this summer. He said he only wants to go to the Nets. It’s okay to dream (trust, I do too), but you might want to give your proposed lineups that include Howard for the ‘12/’13 season a rest. Though things seem to be turning for the better for the Hawks, a couple of weeks of Ferry won’t undo the years-old impression players have of the franchise (thanks ASG). Only shot we have at Howard is if he returns to the Magic, we convince Josh to stay, & we make a play for him in free agency next summer.
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
12:45 pm
The pick the Hawks got was Houston’s pick. It’s lottery protected for the next 4 years. If Houston is in the lottery, then they keep the pick. After the 4 years is up, it turns in to a 2017 2nd rd pick.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:45 pm
“The Nets 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.”
KEY WORD HE SAID IN THAT IS “THINK”
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
12:47 pm
Thanks Just Joe, thats why you got mad GM skills and I dont! LOL!
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:47 pm
Howard said he want to go to the nets BEFORE the hawks traded JJ and have the potential to create….”THE BIG 3″ (newer)
Just Joe
July 3rd, 2012
12:48 pm
I guess the only good thing about the lottery protected 1st in 2013, is if Houston is in the lottery, then their 2nd rd pick that we own should be a decent pick.
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
12:49 pm
northcyde,
What I think BigDog is saying is Ferry would basically be a FOOL to trade Horford away for a 1yr rental. In other words, Orlando DONT hold all the cards here cause we can live w/o Dwight, esp, if it means losing Horford in the process.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
12:50 pm
NortyCyde!
“The fact that there is no indication that Smith will sign long term with the Hawks, probably has Ferry a little gun shy about going all out. We’ll see how this plays out though.”
____________
MC reported yesterday that Mr. Ferry is scheduled to meet with Josh, today – I think. Also, brianjohnson @ccarking on twitter, is from Aiken, SC, like myself. he tweeted me this morning that he is in town and, had dinner with Josh’s Father last night. He reported that THEY are very excited about what’s going down yesterday, with the JJ/Marvin trades.
Something’s brewing here. D12 is headed home – I believe.
moboman
July 3rd, 2012
12:51 pm
Am I the only one wondering why D12 would be locked in on the Nets of all teams? They don’t even have Deron locked in. Is it not possible that it was just talk? That there were really other intentions?
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
12:51 pm
In other words, northcyde, why would Ferry risk losing Horford if what you said could be true, “Now he may not STAY in ATL long term without Josh, but it’s the Magic that has all of the control here.”
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
12:51 pm
So does anyone think that Howard, Smith and X will beat the Heat in a 7 game series… considering that Howard can’t be on the floor at the end of lcose games (at least not when the Hawks have the ball)?
Mike
July 3rd, 2012
12:51 pm
@Jordan
I dont see nothing aobut a Morrow trade on Hoopsworld
WeBurn
July 3rd, 2012
12:52 pm
Come home Superman! Metropolis needs you.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
12:53 pm
Say good-bye to All NBA & Teague yawl.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:53 pm
I bet Howard is looking at ESPN and saying “why didnt i say say the hawks” *facepalm*
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
http://www.atlnightspots.com/2012/rumors-atlanta-hawks-made-moves-for-hopes-of-getting-dwight-howard-chris-paul
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
If the Hawks are contenders for Howard then Josh Smith will stay IMO .
Remidtown
July 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Question for all y’all……IF Atlanta trades for D12 now, would Brooklyn have the cap space to sign him next summer since they’d still have Lopez, Brooks, and Humphries?? OR would they be off their books by then?
welikebaseball2
July 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
@northcyde: Good point about Howard not being a free agent & not having a choice this summer. I just don’t see #1) Ferry agreeing to trade for Howard without him agreeing to stay after the season & #2) Howard agreeing to stay past next season on whatever team he’s traded to other than the only one he said he wanted to be traded to.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
12:58 pm
@moboman
He though that was the only team that has NBA tittle quality (besides Lakers but they are aging) with Williams ( who hasnt signed an exstention yet) but this was before the hawks traded JJ and now can create the NEWER ‘BIG 3′
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Drmaryb, you think Ferry would risk giving up Horford and Teague for a 1yr rental?? Why not wait til after next season for Dwight to come here on his own? If he doesnt get traded to the Nets, he will be free to go where ever he desires. I mean if we trade for him now with an extension in mind, why not let him come on his own while keeping Teague in the process and then trade Horford for some more quality players? If Howard wants to come here after talking with Josh & Ferry, then lets trust him to come on his own, that way we could keep Teague w/o losing him.
Mr. Mojo
July 3rd, 2012
1:02 pm
Hawk fan here that lives in NY. They are talking on WFAN that Orlando prefers Horford over Lopez and like Teague as well. Hawks can get this done.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:02 pm
Astro “Van” Joe!
“So does anyone think that Howard, Smith and X will beat the Heat in a 7 game series… considering that Howard can’t be on the floor at the end of lcose games (at least not when the Hawks have the ball)?”
__________
YES! (see shaq in his prime)
northcyde
July 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
Interesting moves being made by the Nets. So they use the non-taxpayer MLE on some European PF ( Mirza Teletovic ). This means that their payroll can’t exceed 4 million over the Luxury Tax
So the Nets now have a HARD CAP of a little less than 75 million
JJ – 19.75 million
Deron – 17 – 18 million ( in 1st year if re-signed )
G. Wallace – 9 million ( in 1st year )
Teletovic – 5.5 mill ( approx )
Total . . . somewhere around 52 million
If a Maxed out Dwight starts out around 18 million . . that’s 70 million
70 million amongst 5 players . . with 4 million to sign 8 players?
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
Well, not trade Horford for more quality pieces but I meant to get Orlando to do a sign n trade for Horford at the end of next season.
kwooden
July 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
As far as I’m concerned Ferry went All-In when he traded JJ for non-starters! If Ferry has to trade Horford for a possible 1-year rental of Howard then that’s what he signed up to do, FINISH the JOB!! Then next summer is going to have to beg and plead for Josh and Howard to stay, while acquiring another quality wing or PG.
For me it’s an all or nothing play! I really hope it works, because if it doesn’t then we’re Charlotte!!
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Dwight feelings should be alittle hurt after the Nets looking to be walking pass him after all these recent moves.
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Seems like a lot of you just skipped over the important details in the story. You saw Howard and Hawks and got all happy. No way Ferry is going to trade away those type of assets if Howard doesnt agree to an extension. The Hawks would give up Horford, Teague, and probably a first. Imagine if Dwight says thanks but no thanks once his contract is up? Then what do the Hawks do because if Dwight says im out of here then Josh would be right behind him. The only way this deal gets made is if Dwight agrees to an extension. If not then it makes sense to just wait until the next offseason and offer him a max deal then.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
OMG HOWARD WOULDNT BE A 1 YR RENTAL!!!!!!
WHAT DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND?!?! WHY WOULD HE LEAVE?
CP3 WOULD JOIN IN AN INSTANT TO JOIN SMITH AND HOWARD
Ken Strickland
July 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Some of you have become delusional over the prospect of us now having the potential ability to acquire DHoward. Fortunately Ferry isn’t stupid enough to trade a top 3-4 NBA center(Horford) with 4yrs remaining on his contract for a dominant center coming off major back surgery, with ego and decision making issues, with only 1yr remaining on his contract, and who has yet to indicate he’s interested in playing here.
We cannot allow DHoward’s ego and over valued sense of self worth to put our franchise in the same situation that he’s put Orlando’s. But unlike Orlando, he’ll immediately become a FA after one season with us, and our franchise would have to completely start over without any of the 1st and/or 2nd rd picks we would have traded away to rent him for a yr.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
Mary, Shaq in his prime had an elite wing player to both defend and to get off a shot anytime and anyplace. And Shaq was much better in the low post than Howard… significantly better. Since Howard became a #1 scoring option, he hasn’t made it to the conference finals. The Heat will sign Jason Collins and won;t have anything to worry about.
Give me Bynum and CP3.
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
Come on back home, Dwight, we will take care of ya!!
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:08 pm
Ms. Dee
“Drmaryb, you think Ferry would risk giving up Horford and Teague for a 1yr rental?? Why not wait til after next season for Dwight to come here on his own? …”
______________
Because D12 is being moved TODAY!
He will NOT be in Orlando when this season starts. So,’It’s NOW or NEVER! The iron is sizzlin’ hot right now – Ms. Dee. IF, D12 comes here at all, it will not be a one year rental (see extension signed), especially IF Horford and Teague are going away with a couple st round picks.
When Howard comes, the next job is to extend Josh at just below max-pay. Devin Harris becomes the point until next year when, CP3 walks through that door. CP3 is house shopping in Atlanta, GA this Summer.
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
1:08 pm
Its clear that some on here just dont get it.
Michael Cunningham
July 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
@Ron in Vegas: Re: Vecsey report: I believe there is a rule against a team relocating to St. Louis that dates back to the NBA/ABA merger.
YES
July 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
Lebron had the biggest ego of them all…..look how that turned out.
Didnt they win an NBA championship?
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
I still wouldnt mind looking at Ibaka and/or Harden if we cant get Dwight. Hope is still not lost in all this!
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
So although Dwight has let it known he doesnt want to play for the Hawks he will sign an extension just because some fans on a blog wants him to? smh. Some of you got to be trolling.
BIG DOG
July 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
YES – Also rumor had CP3 shopping for a home in Atlanta, so why not play for the Hawks if you live here.
ATL Hawks is the hottest spot now with a new GM in Danny Ferry.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
northcyde
July 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
My bad . . 5 million to sign 8 players
Unless the Luxury Tax goes up a mill or so, the Nets will have problems even filling out a roster, if they get everything they want. Wallace would have to be traded if they had to take Turkoglu in a deal for Dwight
So the Nets could look like this
PG – Williams
G – Johnson
F – Turkoglu
PF – Teletovic
C – Howard
G – Tu Holloway
G – Scoop Jardine
G – some guy in the NDBL
F – Yancey Gates
F – Keith Benson
F – some guy in the NDBL
C – some guy in the NDBL
C – some guy in the NDBL
Basically they’d have to fill out the squad with a college All-Star team that wasn’t good enough to be drafted + some D-League guys.
At least for that 1st year.
wegeragdshawsdhaergaedbgrear
July 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
BTW if we get dwight, we can sign Deron Williams….js
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:13 pm
Drmaryb,
I understand he is moving today, but I doubt he is getting moved to the Nets. I really cant see them affording him any longer which means where ever he DOES GO, he will not be signing there. He will then be free to come here on his own. Again, I ask, WHY NOT WAIT TIL THEN?
northcyde
July 3rd, 2012
1:13 pm
Here’s what I’m looking at
http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q25
Again, this exception is only available to teams that are below the “apron,” i.e., below the point $4 million above the tax line. Teams above the apron instead must use the smaller Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see below). Further, any team that uses its Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception cannot go above the apron for the remainder of that season. In other words, once a team uses its Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, the apron effectively becomes a hard cap for the remainder of that season4. This eliminates any potential loophole where a team could first use its full Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception and subsequently add salary to go above the apron, since adding salary first and then using the exception would be illegal.