Official Speculation & Free Agency Thread (PtXI, Mods close)

[JustDwight]

http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/02/23/all-star-focus-dwight-howards-status/

Hmm Dwight sounds positive

Make no mistake, his trade request still stands, and the Mavs, Nets and Lakers still have permission to talk to his agent. But asked if there’s a future for him with the Magic, who had gotten back on track and entered the All-Star break as the Eastern Conference’s third-best team, Howard said, “It’s a big possibility. … It’s a big possibility.”

He had one last thought to consider. “Kobe (Bryant) asked to be traded, and looked what happened.”

--------------------------------------------------------------
Get this man what he needs, he wants to stay!!

I'm not so sure, anymore, man.

I mean, what's he going to say? No? So he can get booed all weekend?

Maybe, but it's all just speculation until something actually happens, even my comments. Only time will tell.

[Nolimit1211]

If we don't trade Dwight... What is our pitch to him this offseason?

"Dwight, we know Brooklyn is in a HUGE market owned by your favorite rapper, has a top 5 Point Guard, has a top 5 lottery pick, tons of cap space and can trade for any of your friends.... but STAY! We have Hedo locked up another 2 years and Jameer is.. err.. 31 years old now?"

FAIL..

[Nyce_1]

Martins acknowledged that Howard desires to live in a larger metropolis, but he has answers for that.

If it’s about more endorsement opportunities, Martins points out that two top sports endorsers live in smaller markets: golfer Tiger Woods, in Jupiter, Fla., and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

If it’s about big-city living in Los Angeles or New York, Martins has a solution for that, too.

“I’ve even said to him, ‘OK, you want to live in a bigger city, great. Let’s work through this,’” Martins said. ” ‘During a course of a season, you’re home, on average, 60 nights. So if you want to live in a bigger city, go buy a place in a big city and live there in the offseason.’ ”

Martins’ words have gotten through to Howard, to a degree.

I'm grateful Alex is handling this and not just Otis.

[InFlames]

Martins acknowledged that Howard desires to live in a larger metropolis, but he has answers for that.

If it’s about more endorsement opportunities, Martins points out that two top sports endorsers live in smaller markets: golfer Tiger Woods, in Jupiter, Fla., and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

If it’s about big-city living in Los Angeles or New York, Martins has a solution for that, too.

“I’ve even said to him, ‘OK, you want to live in a bigger city, great. Let’s work through this,’” Martins said. ” ‘During a course of a season, you’re home, on average, 60 nights. So if you want to live in a bigger city, go buy a place in a big city and live there in the offseason.’ ”

Martins’ words have gotten through to Howard, to a degree.

I'm grateful Alex is handling this and not just Otis.

Agreed.

[fendilim]

So is otis goin to get fired this offseason regardless of what happens?

[magicman112]

http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/02/23/all-star-focus-dwight-howards-status/

Hmm Dwight sounds positive

Yeah that gives us hope at least.

"But asked if there’s a future for him with the Magic, who had gotten back on track and entered the All-Star break as the Eastern Conference’s third-best team, Howard said, “It’s a big possibility. … It’s a big possibility."

"“I was almost in tears just talking to them, because of the people,” Howard said. “I spent all summer thinking, ‘These people here love me.’ … Even times in the playoffs I was crying because I wanted to win so bad, because I could hear how loud the fans were."

And the one that gave me the most hope

"He had one last thought to consider. “Kobe (Bryant) asked to be traded, and looked what happened.”"

That's the hope, that somehow a miracle deal can be pulled off and bring in an impact player or two. Starting March 1st that's gotta be the focus. See if such a deal can be pulled off, getting third and even fourth teams involved. If it's clear that it can't be done, then it's "come to Jesus talk" time with Dwight before the deadline.

[arkknight1988]

even if dwight signs a 5 yr deal with us when is the soonest we can get him some real help? after all these 4 yr deals otis has handed out i don't see capspace in our near future

[rcklsscognition]

Pat Williams on ESPN radio today. I tried to be as accurate as possible.


Colin: "Would you take it personally if Dwight left Orlando?"

"We're still hurting from Shaq's departure. We feel we live in the greatest city in the US so we wonder why anyone would like to leave? My pitch to Dwight is you're better off here, you've got deep roots here, you're loved, like Devos says, loyalty doesn't transfer to other teams. That'd be my pitch to him."

Colin: Does not trading him show your loyalty to Dwight? Is that part of the plan?

"It's definitely an option. 2 scenarios. The trade deadline is March 15th. 2nd option is to keep him, to make a deep run in the playoffs, then enter free agency and try to win him over against the 29 other teams in the league. Yes, there is a gamble. When you look back at Shaq. In 1996, could you imagine, in February of that year, best young team in the league, making a run at the title, and we announce we just traded Shaq! Hah! Everyone would have run us out on a rail. We're in the same boat here. We'll see if there is a great trade here, but I don't think anyone here has any fear of keeping him right through to free agency.

Colin: How many teams have contacted you?

"Otis Smith are obviously talking all the time, but I look at this, when you trade a star, and most have been traded, and you never make a great trade. Nothing makes a whole lot of sense in a trade for Dwight, that's why they might take a shot at keeping him to free agency.

Colin: If Dwight goes to NY, can you argue that financially it's a bad move?

"No question, it's 10s of millions of dollars. No income tax in Florida. Bottom line is Dwight forfeits millions of dollars to go elsewhere. 30 to 40 million in salary and taxes."

Colin: Have you sat down with Dwight to talk with him yet?

"Not yet. But I have a great relationship with his parents. I talk to them often. I get the impression that they want their son to stay in Central Florida."

Colin: I've said this over the last months, Orlando is an elite place to play in the NBA, so please don't categorize them as anything else.

"Thanks Colin."

[jjtreyball]

Wait did Dwight say the thing about Kobe? Or was it the author of the article?

[rcklsscognition]

I would just say in case some of you notice, that there was no difference in Pat's delivery of the options for Dwight. Even though he said trade dwight first in the sentence, the wording he used did not portray that trading him was necessarily the first option over keeping him through to free agency. In fact, he seemed to portray the Magic's first option was to keep him.

[rcklsscognition]

Wait did Dwight say the thing about Kobe? Or was it the author of the article?

That would be nice to know. Very important and basically means Dwight requested the trade because he was frustrated with the franchise and the players and wants a major trade.

[rcklsscognition]

“The real decision point is going to be closer to the trade deadline, when we’ve had the time to talk to him, to evaluate the situation,” Martins said. “We’re going to have to make the decision — ultimately, through a commitment from him — as to whether we have to trade him or not.”

[Nyce_1]

Wait did Dwight say the thing about Kobe? Or was it the author of the article?

Dwight.

[Neato]

http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/02/23/all-star-focus-dwight-howards-status/

Hmm Dwight sounds positive

Yeah that gives us hope at least.

"But asked if there’s a future for him with the Magic, who had gotten back on track and entered the All-Star break as the Eastern Conference’s third-best team, Howard said, “It’s a big possibility. … It’s a big possibility."

"“I was almost in tears just talking to them, because of the people,” Howard said. “I spent all summer thinking, ‘These people here love me.’ … Even times in the playoffs I was crying because I wanted to win so bad, because I could hear how loud the fans were."

And the one that gave me the most hope

"He had one last thought to consider. “Kobe (Bryant) asked to be traded, and looked what happened.”"

That's ecouraging, or at least it's in the right direction.

[magicman123]

even if dwight signs a 5 yr deal with us when is the soonest we can get him some real help? after all these 4 yr deals otis has handed out i don't see capspace in our near future

Um after next season, so 1 season and we have money for a very solid FA class, unless something dumb happens

[Nyce_1]

So is otis goin to get fired this offseason regardless of what happens?

I suggest we all pray and sacrifice during Lent and maybe, MAYBE, our prayers will be answered and Otis will not be GM of the Orlando Magic.

[rcklsscognition]

I am so angry at our team for blowing the game against the Hawks. Even though Dwight was a large reason for it. I don't want any uncertainty in Dwight's mind about this team. It's clear, from what Martins said, that Dwight talks to them and talks go negative when they are losing and are positive when they are winning. Dwight is obviously still up and down on this one.

[rcklsscognition]

Wait did Dwight say the thing about Kobe? Or was it the author of the article?

Dwight.

I just asked the author of the article:

Jeff Zillgitt ‏ @usat_jzillgitt
Dwight said that to me; that's a direct quote.

[Neato]

Martins acknowledged that Howard desires to live in a larger metropolis, but he has answers for that.

If it’s about more endorsement opportunities, Martins points out that two top sports endorsers live in smaller markets: golfer Tiger Woods, in Jupiter, Fla., and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

If it’s about big-city living in Los Angeles or New York, Martins has a solution for that, too.

“I’ve even said to him, ‘OK, you want to live in a bigger city, great. Let’s work through this,’” Martins said. ” ‘During a course of a season, you’re home, on average, 60 nights. So if you want to live in a bigger city, go buy a place in a big city and live there in the offseason.’ ”

Martins’ words have gotten through to Howard, to a degree.

I'm grateful Alex is handling this and not just Otis.

So Martins is confirming what Otis said earlier about Dwight wanting a bigger market. He's just more tactful in discussing the issue.

[WeAreVenom]

I'm starting to like Martins......

Way more than Otis, and maybe even BVW.