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
Follow ajchawks on Twitter
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,008 comments Add your comment
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
1:38 pm
By the way AJ, by no means am I saying I don’t want Bynum. I’ll take Howard, Bynum, or a top 3-4 pick in next year’s draft. Either of the three will work for me.
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
1:38 pm
IDK about you guys but I DO NOT want to turn into the Wizards :’(
O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
1:40 pm
If Hawks go after Bynum next offseason, then either Josh or Al would have to be on the way out. And with Horford’s contract only for $12 mil for 4 more years, while Josh will get at least $15 mil for 5 years (imo), I won’t be surprised if Josh leaves next offseason (especially if Dwight still doesn’t want to play here).
And if that happens, I can see the Hawks going after Bynum (if the Lakers don’t resign him), and a guy like Harden or CP3. Shoot, is there a way to get Bynum, Harden, and CP3? I know. I’m dreaming big
Smeer516
July 3rd, 2012
1:40 pm
We would be a completely different team without Teague, Horford. I could part ways with Horford at most for Dwight but we need to keep Teague on board if a deal HAS to be done.
Ron in Vegas
July 3rd, 2012
1:41 pm
MC – Thanks for the info regarding the move to STL. Glad to hear that can’t happen if what you said is true….
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:43 pm
Change of Scenery!
Grand-Daddy! Yes, D12 definitely QUIT on The Magic, no doubt about it. The org put his ISH on the Air, he was definitely OFF the boards at that point. He is outa’ there & this city, these fans are in desperate need of a rim-rattling, super-star that can fill these seats and sell some tickets.
Who else you got in mind that can do that? James Harden & Ibaka? LOL …
We don’t need NOMO nice guys n here. We need an AZZ-HOLE!!!!
MsDee
July 3rd, 2012
1:44 pm
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
1:30 pm
If we dont get howard, smith will leave then….aww god
1.teague
2.Jenkins
3.FA
4.Horford
5.FA
Not if Ferry continues to wk his magic and get Ibaka and Harden.
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
So Harris becomes the starter? Him and Teague posted similar numbers last year but Teague shot better from the field and from behind the arc. Harris will probably be used in another deal or they will let his contract expire. Its clear that some of have not watched Harris over the recent years. He is not the player he once was. Guys on here always tend to remember a guy for what he was instead of what is now.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Good news BIG DOG!
Now its on!
HAWKS vs. LA!
Gas up the Limo, we’re coming for ya D12!
GoldDawg
July 3rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Highlight factory being renamed the Death Star.
C3P-O, R2-D12 and Darth Smoove!
Carpio7
July 3rd, 2012
1:48 pm
Enter yourWe don’t need CP3. We have a great young point guard in Teague.
Teague
S/G
Smith
Horford
Howard
That would be the line up.
Ferry has been rumored to move Harris for maybe a SG or SF.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:48 pm
Check Mate!
“Ferry is playing Chess and he’s looking 3 and 4 moves ahead…” – slim-juice,jr -
____________
YES! you just stole my comment verbatum. (great minds?)
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
1:48 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–magic-eye-lakers-center-andrew-bynum-as-target-in-potential-dwight-howard-trade.html
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
1:50 pm
Bye All, enjoy your trip to the Sunshine State! You going back home too? Gotta love Danny!
A Win-Win for everybody!!! Yeah!!!!!
DS
July 3rd, 2012
1:51 pm
Ibaka << Smoove
Harden = JJ
Why would you want more of the same? We need a superstar in ATL!
jay
July 3rd, 2012
1:52 pm
Orlando is not trading him to the Lakers. It will be either the Hawks or Rockets. The Lakers just don’t have enough.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:53 pm
1-800- ASK A SCRUB?
“Yawl need to ask Jameer Nelson for an opinion about DH as a teammate.” – Grand-Daddy-
____________
I don’t talk to scrubs. (lol) we don’t give a damn about Jameer Nelson’s opinion about nothing.
DS
July 3rd, 2012
1:54 pm
Lakers don’t have enough? You heard of Bynum? I hope you’re right though..
DS
July 3rd, 2012
1:55 pm
Would you rather have Bynum/Sessions or Horford/Teague?
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
1:56 pm
lol at drmaryb!!!!! Hehehehehe
ryan
July 3rd, 2012
1:57 pm
This could interesting with the Nets out can this trade happen Howard and Smith on the same team .
Harpie
July 3rd, 2012
1:57 pm
No good player in his right mind would want to come to the Hawks and play for the worst coach in basketball!!!
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
1:57 pm
We want Championships!!!!!!!!
That is all..
BIG DOG
July 3rd, 2012
1:58 pm
Here is the trade to get D12 now.
Teague, Horford, Zaza and 2 1st rounder for D12
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6ub4kwn
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
1:59 pm
Horford and Teague by a long shot….Horford is going back home!
Danny is da Man!!!!
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
1:59 pm
BTW!
re: jamal anderson, uggh … Chamblee Tucker Rd. & I-85 … is one block from: THE VELVET ROOM! LOL
Grandad
July 3rd, 2012
1:59 pm
Mary Ellen
Agreed !
Neither do we need a quitter !
_____________________________________________
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
-Lance Armstrong-
_____________________________________________
“There’s only one thing that can guarantee our failure, and that’s if we quit.”
-unknown-
_____________________________________________
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
-Harriet Beecher Stowe-
_____________________________________________
“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”
-Vince Lombardi-
_____________________________________________
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”
-Conrad Hilton-
_____________________________________________
jay
July 3rd, 2012
1:59 pm
@DS, If they wanted Bynum they would have made the trade last year. He only has one year on his contract so now the leverage for the lakers is even less appealing. They would need a third team to make it happen.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
BIG DOG, you working for King Danny or sumthin? LOL!
Book it Danny!!! Make it so Scottie! Aye Captain!
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
After creating the possibility to form a championship caliber roster, I don’t see Ferry buying into Howard as a center piece. It would be great to generate fan interest, but with only 3 players signed next July (Horford, Teague & Jenkins), Ferry could go after any free agent or use their cap space to acquire top talent for non-basketball assets. I think folk are focused on the Atlanta angle, the Josh friendship and his availability…. hopefully Ferry isn’t thinking in that narrow space but instead is thinking “if I have a very good young big in Horford, a decent (if not better) young PG in Teague, possibly a budding sniper and plenty of cap space… which 2 or 3 players do I want (regardless of friendships, hometown or current contract status)? He created an opportunity to survey dang near the entire league, I hope he takes full advantage of that effective work.
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
I kinda wish we had marvin now to offer
Teague, marvin, Horford
GoldDawg
July 3rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Where is Najah Davenpoop at? I’d like to see hear his thoughts.
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
2:02 pm
@Astro Joe
Why would any player want to come to ATL if we didnt have smith or howard??
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
2:04 pm
Dream Coach!
“This could interesting with the Nets out can this trade happen Howard and Smith on the same team .” -ryan-
____________
After 7 years of SVG & his ultra-intensity, (see Doug Collins, Larry Brown and Avery Johnson) … Larry Drew would look like … a couple tubs of Ben & Jerry’s: Cherry Garcia & Chunky Monkey to Dwight Howard.
thatz wassup.
DS
July 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
@Jay ORL didn’t do that trade last year because they thought they could convince Dwight to stay
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
co, some on this blog were expecting the 2003 TMac… so you know they are expecting the 2009 Devin Harris. After all, the Devin Harris that averaged around 18-20/game would logically be traded for Marvin with a single year left on his deal.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
2:07 pm
You have got believe Danny is looking at several options, not just D12?
But if D12 lands in your lap what is a GM who is on the path to build a Championship organization supposed to do?
Say I’ll pass and keep ALL Get Real? C’mon son!
Grandad
July 3rd, 2012
2:07 pm
So:
teammates opinions are not important ?
His starting pg for his entire career = not important ?
J.M. = not a scrub !
J.M. who passed him the ball
more than any other player in his career ?
-not important-
Jameer who ran the pick and roll with Dwight to perfection ?
Not important ?
Jameer who stretched the floor, penetrated and dished ?
-some scrub-
Teammates are the Most important !
____________________________________________
I still love ya darlin`.
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
2:07 pm
WOW WTF THE GUY THAT WROTE THE ARTICLE ABOUT LAKERS AND HOWARD DEAL IS TOTAL BS!!!
“the Magic have continued discussions with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets, but aren’t enamored with the possibilities of players and picks that those teams can offer.”
TOTAL BS!!!
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
2:08 pm
Where are the hawks?!?!?! ^^^^
Grandad
July 3rd, 2012
2:08 pm
* teammate`s opinions
[not teammates opinions]
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
Bynum!
I don’t trust Andrew B, nor his bees-knees. he’s another soft punk who, slammed a 3′ PG coming down the lane in Dragic. Why would he do that? Why hurt a player & your team’s play off run at the same time. Who will fill Phillip’s Arena to see this guy?
WE NEED A BOX OFFICE DRAW – PEOPLE!
GO BIG OR GO HOME!
stop all the itty-bitty-nitty-pickin” fellas. lose that loser’s mentality on here.
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
Yea Astro thats why I said some on here tend to remember a guy for what he once did. And I guess if Lebron shops for a home in Atlanta that means he wants to be traded from the Heat and play for the Hawks.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
HAWKS, very few mature adult men only go someplace for a very specific player. They will sign for a chance to win a title or enjoy a more comfortable city or make more money, but very few would say “If John Doe isn’t there I ain’t going”. And the guys who think that way, probably won’t win any titles. This is a profession, not quite like trying to decide if you want to go to a party on Friday night (”I’ll go if Pooh is there”).
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
from that Yahoo article link above:
Howard told Yahoo! Sports on Sunday night that,” There’s only one team on my list and if I don’t get traded there, I’ll play the season out and explore my free agency after that.”
Hawk-eye
July 3rd, 2012
2:14 pm
My question is,did the last few NBA champions win with a dominant center ? Miami,Dallas,Boston,San Antonio (Duncan is a power forward) LA,maybe,but there is a cat named Kobe Bryant on that team…………Howard is also becoming injury prone. We just got rid of 2 balls and chains, C Paul,I see,and other wing players,and quality depth.Blowin’ out the salary cap again for a “fantasy league” move will return us back to mediocre,especially if you give up Horford/Smith/Teague for an obsolete center concept………
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
2:14 pm
My Sweet Dear Grand-Daddy!
And, how many All Star games has Jameer played in? this mighty mouse is NO where near ELITE, he’s been hurt every play-offs i can remember. i for one, am not impressed. you can ride his jock strap, not me though. lol
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
2:15 pm
Howard’s next Adidas deal will be worth significantly more money – perhaps even double – if he’s playing in the major market of Los Angeles or New York, sources told Yahoo!
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
2:18 pm
Who said that?
“Yea Astro thats why I said some on here tend to remember a guy for what he once did. And I guess if Lebron shops for a home in Atlanta that means he wants to be traded from the Heat and play for the Hawks.”
____________
When did LeBron ever say, “Atlanta, GA is on my short list?” And, when did LBJ ever shop for a home in Atlanta? What is your point?
HAWKS
July 3rd, 2012
2:19 pm
@mountain_jim
Thats not his decision. Its the magic