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
Buddy Grizzard
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
I have no problem if Ferry waits until next offseason when Dwight becomes a UFA to make a move. Why trade assets and take on a bad contract like Turk when the Hawks can just wait and sign Dwight outright? If CP3 doesn’t come but Dwight and Josh sign, we’ve got the best front line in the NBA plus a team option on Teague.
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
O’B, it may lead to slightly more jumpers because it will be 82 games. However, I think it will be better decision making. As I keep saying, Josh’s mid range jumpers, and end of shot clock threes are not the problem. Its the ones he take BEFORE establishing a rhythm for himself early in the shot clock. I think those shots will decrease.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
Mary, I believe that Howard is one of those “hierarchy” kind of guys. I recall him being upset about not getting enough touches a few years ago…. after Turkaglu left and he was ready to “be the man”. I recall him being put off when Kobe suggested that he come to LA to be the 2nd fiddle. So based on those clues (and the way things went down last year), I think he wants to be the definitive star… I’m not even convinced he wants to be a co-star like Lebron-Wade-Bosh. If he isn’t looking to play 2nd fiddle to Kobe, is he going to be okay watching Gay shooting the ball late in the 4th quarter?
Josh
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Why does everyone assume the CP3 will leave LA? He hasn’t run his mouth about it like D12 has. Plus, Blake Griffin just signed an extension. They did pretty well last year and could be working towards something.
THE IMMORTAL...I MUS WRITE
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
moboman
July 3rd, 2012
3:02 pm
Ferry is nobody’s fool. No extension, no deal. Y’all remember Texiera? JD Drew? Danny Manning? If he will extend, do the deal in a second, if not he’s fools gold.
EGGZACTLEE- NO EXTENSION NO TRADE……………….I would like to keep Teague his arrow is pointing up..
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
Any one who’s saying D12 contract in NY will be so much for Adidas, need to remember the kind of contract Vick had with Nike before the dogs, in a sport that isn’t as globally popular as basketball.
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
4:33 pm
The biggest free agent acquisition THIS off season, may was Ferry hiring Wes Wilcox. Sekou is raving about the hire.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
4:34 pm
Astro Joe!
“I simply don’t believe that the Heat won’t lose a series (as they are currently configured) against a team that doesn’t have Dwight Howard.”
_______________
Well, let us know when they do.
bldvl89
July 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Don’t do it! Dwight is getting a lot of attention for someone just coming off of lumbar surgery.
His timing for the surgery was impeccably horrible (during the stretch run of Orlando’s regular season just before the playoffs) suggesting a streak of petulance against Orlando management, and the last center I remember having the kind of surgery he had – Brad Daugherty of the Cavs who went into surgery at 7-0 and came out 6-10 – never got back to what he was before surgery. Let someone else overpay and make Brokeback Dwight prove he can hold up for 82 games.
Second – why bring in what is sure to be a p.r. nightmare? His periodic meltdowns against the Celtics notwithstanding, Josh for the most part gave me the impression last season that he is actually maturing and letting his play do the talking. Throwing Dwight into the mix is going to change all that, particularly given the disrespect he apparently has for the Hawks.
p.s. I didn’t understand Ferry’s move to draft John Jenkins until the Johnson trade – and now it makes perfect sense. And kudos on moving Marvin for a point guard – and drafting Mike Scott, who is the direct opposite of Marvin . . . as in Mike Scott is a 6-8 do it all forward who did everything well – rebound, defend, hustle – except shoot the 3, while Marvin did nothing well as a forward – except shoot the 3.
p.p.s. I still can’t believe Ferry found a taker for the last $90 mil and 4 years on Joe’s contract. And I can’t believe the taker was his teammate at Duke in the late 80s (and defender extraordinaire), Billy King (the Nets GM) who graduated a year before Ferry.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
For those that are saying that Josh (and Dwight if the Hawks acquire him) will walk at the end of the season possibly leaving the Hawks at the altar. Please tell us where Is he/they would be walking to? Name some teams that will have salary cap space next season that you see them signing with? More than offend, when teams do have cap space, theys still prefer to do and S&T (see the Miami Heat). Dwight and Josh will not have as much leverage to choose their destination in free agency without working with their current team as some of you think.
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
AJ, Kobe wanted Dwight to be the 3rd fiddle, not 2nd fiddle.
The Real cp
July 3rd, 2012
4:39 pm
Exactly@Buddy but for some reason a lot of people on here are ignoring that.
@Imus that has been a lot of peoples position on here. Makes no sense to give all that up for a guy if he wont sign that extension. The Hawks would potentialy be left with no Joe,AL,Teague, Josh, Marvin, Dwight, and no first rounders. We would be the Bobcats.
THE IMMORTAL...I MUS WRITE
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
I dont want Pau Gasol on this team,especially not for Josh. So we trade a swiss army knife for a tarnished butter knife. Ill roll with josh- attitude and all.
BG- I could say the same for DH12 who knows what his back is like right now.
Kwooden- Bynum has his flaws and so soes DH- ill take either -DH is the better player but Bynum is that far behind. Id rather have CP3 Bynum and use the 3 mill on a servicable vet SG Sf C….
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Astro Joe!
“If he isn’t looking to play 2nd fiddle to Kobe, is he going to be okay watching Gay shooting the ball late in the 4th quarter?”
_________
Unfortunately, I don’t have those type of powers. i can’t read minds nor, predict future outcomes, but, i would like to see if Howard can or can’t while in a Hawks uniform rather than in another. People change, kids mature … they sometimes even – eventually grow up.
MJ didn’t always share the ball, nor was he always a great outside shooter, but after 7 years in the league, even he learned how to stop dunking everything, in order to win.
So, yeah. I want D12 here, when he grows up too.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Ra’mon, fine… I trust Kobe when it comes to offensive basketball.
Mary, Ferry has talked about “building a program”. I don’t think he signed a 6-year deal because he is fixated on fixing home attendance from day one. I think he cleared all of this space 9for the summer of 2013) to have ultimate flexibility to build a program. A program doesn’t take short term gambles like trade Al and Teague to watch a player come for potentially a single season. A program approach is looking for sustainable success, not retooling every year or two based on the whim of a player.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
Mary, I don’t think Ferry dumped all of that money to watch a guy who has played 500+ NBA games “grow up”. We’ll see in time.
Slimjr
July 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZDwOCr2IB4
drmaryb.(”"_*).
July 3rd, 2012
4:12 pm
Get That ISH outa’ Here!
“Josh for Pau? LMBAO, on so many levels.”
I co-sign drmaryb! lol!
Buddy G
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
Keep in mind that ORL GM Rob Hennigan is in an incredibly bad bargaining position because everyone knows that he MUST trade Howard.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
I think he cleared all of this space 9for the summer of 2013 – Astro
If you believe that, then why would agree with northcyde about the Josh-Pau trade? You do realize Pau has 2 years and almost 40mil left on his contract.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
Melvin, 3 daqys ago, the Hawks had no cap space for next summer. I love what ferry did, but I wouldn’t assume that he is the only GM able to clear cap space quickly. The Hawks might be the one of few teams with cap space for 2-3 big contracts, but I’ve not read anything that says Dwight and Josh have decided to sign in the same place next summer. So presumably, they could each get big deals in different cities. If Dallas doesn’t land anyone this summer, they will likely be in a good position to go after Howard next summer.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
Melvin, I said I thought of the Josh-Pau trade but decided against it. Isn’t that what I said?
SACAPARENT
July 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
To Dwight Howard II, Young Fellow! Come back home to Atlanta and help build the championship team you told me you wanted to assemble. Sheryl and your dad can watch you dominate on the court,and “Tootie” can baby sit little Braylon.Make good on your promise to the city of Atlanta about playing for the Atlanta Hawks,and winning a title here at home.Josh Smith stayed here because you made a pack with him.
Buddy G
July 3rd, 2012
4:56 pm
“Josh for Pau? LMBAO, on so many levels.”
A few days ago we were pondering the hell out of that trade. It’s good to laugh!
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
4:57 pm
Astro,
I like poking the iron at you but these last two days you have been in overdrive with scenarios to get rid of Josh. Especially now with the speculation that his good friend Dwight could be acquire. I’m really worried about you if both guys are wearing Hawks uniforms in the future.
moboman
July 3rd, 2012
4:57 pm
@Astro Joe
Exactly what I was saying earlier. Get him now if he will extend.
Melvin
July 3rd, 2012
4:58 pm
Astro,
My bad, you did said you decided against it…
Sautee
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
“Ill roll with josh- attitude and all.” – I mus write
So I mus, are you ok with Josh walking at the end of his contract?
prison mike
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
It’s pretty obvious: Al, Harris, and Houston pick.
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Melvin, I don’t think that requiring Howard to sign an extension before trading Horford, Teague and picks is unreasonable (especially since Orlando would try to send an awful contract with him). We have the ability to do big things next summer without absorbing bad contracts, so I don’t understand the reason for such a huge gamble. My guess, if we were required to trade Josh for CP3 who did not commit to a long term deal, many around here would balk. It makes NO sense to trade young, very good and affordable bigs for a hope. None.
Here’s the other thing, LD ain’t staying (that’s right, ain’t). So what are the chances that we get Howard and Ferry chooses a head coach he doesn’t like? Do we have any reason to believe that Howard may have issues with who coaches him? Or should Ferry, after watching how the Spurs have created a sustainable program, decide to turn over head coach hiring authority (or input) to Howard?
Too much risk.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
AJ, you make good sense on your patience stance.
In thinking about all this D12 trade stuff, and it does make sense for Danny to let it play out until 2013. Not sure that there will be many teams able to take on D12’s max contract. We would have major max room for the 1st time in a long time.
Now, if ORL won’t wait until next year, you gotta go for it as opposed to being patient. It is all about Orlando.
And if we do wait, the worse we do is we lose Josh, and we still have Al, Teague, and the draft picks. That’s not a bad thing either, but not enough to win any significant playoff games.
So, if you step aside and not discuss D12 for the next month, what one player could help us in the short term?
Teague / Harris
Stevenson / Morrow / Jenkins
Zaza / Petro / Williams
Al / Johnson / Williams / Scott
Josh (which I don’t like as a SF.)
We’re still in overlap mode with Al and Josh, and if we don’t move Al to Orlando, what could we get to fill a void? A new SF? Perhaps a 2 for 1?
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
5:11 pm
Too much risk and too many impatient, illogical, and desperate gamblers here today. Glad Ferry has more sense.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
5:12 pm
Can we bring T-Mac back now?
Can he co-exist as our SF with LD?
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
5:13 pm
Or even worse, LD stays because he allows the Atlanta Celtics to do anything they want (like the last few years with Josh). The Uncle Larry fandom grows (like a fungus).
Too much risk.
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
5:15 pm
Dwight was quoted as saying Sunday if he did not get traded to NY, he would play out his contract and not re-sign. Sounds like unless or until he changes that tune there is really no point in worrying about him or where he goes.
Rod from College Park
July 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
Wait till the Utah fans get a load of Marvin Williams. LOL. If they think Devin Harris did not play to his potential, they are going to really get to see a guy who plays to his potential maybe 3 times a year. I think he has 2 years left on his deal, plus a player option which he will exercise, so really 3 years. LOL
mountain_jim
July 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
Traded to Brooklyn I meant.
BoscoRobinson
July 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
The Hawks DONT need Dwight Howard. Of course according to the nba association he is supposedly good: he keeps winning DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS, DUNKER OF THE YEAR, SHOTBLOCKER OF THE YEAR AWARDS, and any awards that a tall statue, building or skyscraper would win, but does he win the MVP award, FINALS MVP or MOST IMPROVED PLAYER awards. In my opinion, those are the three most awards given out in the nba. Dwight will NEVER, EVER win most improved player, because like his childhood pal and streetbudy Josh Smith, Dwight is lazy and does nothing in the offseason to improve on his pathetic, boring game. JOSH SMITH AND DWIGHT HOWARD BOTH DESERVE each other, both have horrible work ethics and are too lazy to get better and imrpove. josh smith is a bum, a coward and a lazy influence on the team. smith should also be traded or cut immediately to improve the team.
PD
July 3rd, 2012
5:18 pm
This is such great news for the Birthday Weekend…..If we can also get Tyreke Evans
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
5:21 pm
Melvin, I know what you are thinking, and no that was NOT me posting under a pseudonym.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
5:25 pm
“$8,287,500 $7,500,000″ – 2nd year PO
Rod, Marvin’s nimbers are above for this year and next.
Ferry just saved us over 7M with this trade…….the ASG/Sund continue to look foolish in their past decisions.
hawksfancents95
July 3rd, 2012
5:25 pm
northcyde thanks for clarifying, i really liked the trevor ariza example as i think that was a relatively good assesment of what lead to that trade.
kevinM. i dont like josh at 3 either, i like teague at point josh at 4 and al at 5. we need zaza to be our backup C, and jenkins,scott,ivan,petro,stevenson,morrow,williams off the bench. id like to see devin harris get us a starter or two instead of be a packup to teague. i think our best solution and ive said it already is devin harris for kevin martin, both are on 1 year contracts and kevin wants out of HOU and we need someone who can score and get to the line and kevin martin can get us 18 3 3 a night just like joe did last year.
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
5:28 pm
Yeah, AJ, that is the one question I do have, is why do we have to squander around with LD for one more year.
Just promote him to another role, and get a Jerry Sloan, and implement his system in here and gear up for 2013.
I know you long time Hawks fans are going to love this…..David Andersen wants back in the league and finish his career with a playoff contender. Are you kidding me? He might be the longest talked about Euro that finally came over to play with us, only to be moved to Houston and not doing much.
There’s former Hawks everywhere!
KevinM
July 3rd, 2012
5:32 pm
Someone correct me if needed, but I think we’re currently committed to salaries that total:
53.5M (not counting Ivan, Jenkins, & Scott)
So, add 3M for these 3, and we’re around 56.5M?
Looks like we still have wiggle room for even this year if we stumble upon another vet.
Dana F. Blankenhorn
July 3rd, 2012
5:45 pm
Ferry will either get it done or will hold his cap room for next year. I don’t underestimate him. He knows what he’s doing. So let’s just see what happens and enjoy the show.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
5:45 pm
Astro Joe!
“A program doesn’t take short term gambles like trade Al and Teague to watch a player come for potentially a single season. A program approach is looking for sustainable success, not retooling every year or two based on the whim of a player.”
______________
When did I say Mr. Ferry should do that? Did you see my response to O’Brien’s direct question. You’re assuming Dwight will not sign an extension, I assume nothing. I clearly said, “If he does not, then move on.”
Forget about how long the GM will be here, why wait six years to do what you can do today? Dwight is being move today, next year is not a promise. I doubt The Magic will tour the globe another year in flux – I wouldn’t if D12 does not sign their extended-extension before the season begins.Would you?
hawksfancents95
July 3rd, 2012
5:45 pm
ill bet $$ dwight goes to brooklyn before august. i am super excited about this salry cap space and everything but i think dwight will get what he ultimately wants, brooklyn. and cp3 will stay in LAC and re-sign after this year. the clipps could have been a serious contender in the west if chauncey wouldnt of been hurt and next year if all are healthy they will play OKC in the west finals(barring a major move from LAL).
idk what is best for the hawks and their future yet but our outlook overall is far greater than sunday night. we just insured a bright future and im happy with that
Astro Joe
July 3rd, 2012
5:47 pm
Mary, I’m not suggesting we wait 6 years. I am suggesting that we not trade Horford, teague and draft picks until Howard signs a little piece of paper.
Ra'mon
July 3rd, 2012
5:53 pm
AJ, you trust Kobe with offense? The same guy who didn’t understand why to play inside out with Shaq (of course Dwight should be second option to Kobe, just saying)? If it wasn’t for Kobe’s insistence on being the first option to Shaq, they probably would’ve won at least 6-8 rings together, with Kobe taking over on the last 2 rings. Kobe could have Durant or Lebron on his team, and he still wouldn’t want to defer. What Wade did, Kobe would never do. Afterall, Kobe is the same player who says if he ever averages 19 ppg, he will retire.
Ray
July 3rd, 2012
5:58 pm
No one wants to play 2nd fiddle to Kobe any longer I know Gasol and Bynum do, but for them I don’t think it’s as much an issue since they already play there.
I’m saying from people outside of the Lakers Organization I wouldn’t want to play 2nd fiddle to Kobe if I don’t have too.
drmaryb.(""_*).
July 3rd, 2012
6:00 pm
Growing Pains!
“Mary, I don’t think Ferry dumped all of that money to watch a guy who has played 500+ NBA games “grow up”. We’ll see in time. ” – Astro Joe -
__________
Eventually, 18 year olds do grow up … it’s normally a natural progression. To your point though, most 18 year olds don’t have 80M dollars in the process. But, yeah … they do grow up at some point. D12 is not a bad kid, never been arrested, last I checked – he hasn’t killed anyone.
He has played for only one type “A” coach his entire career, I think we can cut the kid some slack there. SVG is extremely overbearing and does’nt know how to smile and have a little fun at work. A change is scenery isn’t always a bad thing -right buddy?
I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed debating with you all day. You have a ton of class and patience to maintain the differences of opinions we have and, I sure do love your mind and respect your opinions for that reason. It all comes down to having a healthy, decent and, respectful conversation on here.
You, AJ, have made some super strong points to me today and, I am listening to them as I stand my ground. Mmmmmwah!