Official Speculation & Free Agency Thread (Pt X, Mods close)

[sonny_1313]

Sports isn't always about winning.

[BadMofoPimp]

Sports isn't always about winning.

It isn't about giving up either.

[TheDarkKnight]

Though if Bynum is healthy, it remains quite possible the Lakers will keep Bynum. After all, he’s been terrific since his return from suspension with 29 points in his first game and a 20/20 game in his third. Plus, new Lakers’ head man Jim Buss is a huge advocate of Bynum’s and is said to prefer to keep him. Plus, also losing Gasol would decimate the Lakers’ roster with Lamar Odom gone. And then if Bynum is hurt again, there’s no deal, anyway.

Also, I’ve heard Howard doesn’t particularly care to follow Shaq and continue to be compared to him, that his agent is just using the Lakers to enhance any potential bidding.

The Mavs have basically no trade pieces, at least hardly anyone under 40. Their general plan is to lure Dallas native Deron Williams as a free agent, and the way things are going in New Jersey it would seem Williams would only be too happy to evacuate.

The Mavs’ grand plan is said to be both Williams and Howard, though they’d likely need a sign and trade for one and it hardly seems like they have anyone the Nets, especially after trading for Williams and giving up so much, or the Magic would want. So Dallas probably is out.

And then comes Brooklyn. Say the Nets do make a deal involving Brook Lopez, which seems ludicrous that the Magic would take him and whatever spare parts the Nets have left or can get. They supposedly are compiling draft picks, but the Magic isn’t rebuilding with a bunch of non lottery picks. And this Nets team is now the worst in the league. But say the Magic do make such a deal. What chance do you have for any success in New Brooklyn with Deron Williams, assuming he does stay, which he may not, and basically nothing else. The Nets might have enough money to pay Howard as a walk away free agent, which those conventional wisdom types say the Magic never would allow after losing Shaq like that, but still there’s hardly anything left on the roster. And Howard makes about $25 million less. He doesn’t seem that clever. But he can figure that out. And then he still probably doesn’t even beat the Knicks. And you’re in Brooklyn.

Other teams have cap room, but is Howard picking Phoenix and those extras? Charlotte, Cleveland, Utah?

The latest rumor is the Warriors hopping in and even willing to rent without a promise to stay, so burned were they by even bad big men like Tyson Chandler and Nene turning down their offers. So you get Stephen Curry and the worst ankles in the world. They don’t have any big men. That’s why they want Howard. Oh, yeah, they did pay Kwame Brown $7 million.

Atlanta also has made inquiries given Howard is from there. And who doesn’t want to play in front of 8,000 every night? Marvin Williams and Al Horford? OK, but so who is Howard then playing with? If he has problems with the Magic’s shooting, wait until he gets a look at Josh Smith.

So Howard could after all this say he’s staying in Orlando. I wouldn’t be shocked.

Source:http://blogs.bulls.com/2012/01/bulls-and-dwight-it-aint-over-until-you-know-when/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

An article about the Dwight situation from someone with common sense

[SEBAS-07]

Orlando/Milwaukee/Lakers

Orlando trades: Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Daniel Orton

receive: Stephen Jackson and Jon Brockman

Milwaukee trades: Stephen Jackson,Jon Brockman and Beno Udrih

receive:Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson, Daniel Orton, Lakers TPE

Lakers Trade: TPE

receive Beno Udrih

[thelead]

Orlando/Milwaukee/Lakers

Orlando trades: Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Daniel Orton

receive: Stephen Jackson and Jon Brockman

Milwaukee trades: Stephen Jackson,Jon Brockman and Beno Udrih

receive:Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson, Daniel Orton, Lakers TPE

Lakers Trade: TPE

receive Beno Udrih

we can't trade our best pg...

[rcklsscognition]

I'm wondering if we perform badly on this next stretch of games, Otis might make a big move similar to two years ago. I know it seems irrational, but something felt really bad about that game.

[thelead]

I'm wondering if we perform badly on this next stretch of games, Otis might make a big move similar to two years ago. I know it seems irrational, but something felt really bad about that game.

Two defensive wings please. THe only thing I ask for offense from the said defensive wings, PG that can pass, SG that can hit an open 3.

Essentially Rafer and CLee...

[eyriq]

The current roster can win 60% of their games, grab a top four seed, and contend for a title. I'm not worried about that. What worries me is our consistent lack of a stud sidekick for Dwight. Otis has failed in that regard, and if a move is going to be made with our existing assets to acquire a stud sidekick, I'm not sure I want Otis to be the one making the move.

[thelead]

The current roster can win 60% of their games, grab a top four seed, and contend for a title. I'm not worried about that. What worries me is our consistent lack of a stud sidekick for Dwight. Otis has failed in that regard, and if a move is going to be made with our existing assets to acquire a stud sidekick, I'm not sure I want Otis to be the one making the move.

How many times do we need to be smacked upside our heads before you give up on that dream. This team can not beat Miami or OKC in a seven game series.

[eyriq]

The current roster can win 60% of their games, grab a top four seed, and contend for a title. I'm not worried about that. What worries me is our consistent lack of a stud sidekick for Dwight. Otis has failed in that regard, and if a move is going to be made with our existing assets to acquire a stud sidekick, I'm not sure I want Otis to be the one making the move.

How many times do we need to be smacked upside our heads before you give up on that dream. This team can not beat Miami or OKC in a seven game series.

You can't really build a sure thing, you pretty much have to construct a roster that will win ~60% of their games and grab home court in at least the first round. From there it is about match-ups and lucky breaks with injuries. At the end of the year, just like the past several years, the Magic will be in the top 8 in at least 3/8 Four Factors, with be a top 4 seed, will have won at least 60% of their games, and will be a tough out in a 7 games series. Being the favorite =/= being contenders. The Magic are far from the favorite, but if patterns hold from the past few years this team will contend, IMO.

[thelead]

The current roster can win 60% of their games, grab a top four seed, and contend for a title. I'm not worried about that. What worries me is our consistent lack of a stud sidekick for Dwight. Otis has failed in that regard, and if a move is going to be made with our existing assets to acquire a stud sidekick, I'm not sure I want Otis to be the one making the move.

How many times do we need to be smacked upside our heads before you give up on that dream. This team can not beat Miami or OKC in a seven game series.

You can't really build a sure thing, you pretty much have to construct a roster that will win ~60% of their games and grab home court in at least the first round. From there it is about match-ups and lucky breaks with injuries. At the end of the year, just like the past several years, the Magic will be in the top 8 in at least 3/8 Four Factors, with be a top 4 seed, will have won at least 60% of their games, and will be a tough out in a 7 games series. Being the favorite =/= being contenders. The Magic are far from the favorite, but if patterns hold from the past few years this core will be contenders, IMO.

We wouldn't beat Miami even if Wade got injured. Hell, all playoff teams have a "shot" to win the championship. We are mental midgets. We have talent, but talent isn't everything.

[eyriq]

We wouldn't beat Miami even if Wade got injured. Hell, all playoff teams have a "shot" to win the championship. We are mental midgets. We have talent, but talent isn't everything.

Again, Miami is the clear favorite. Also, while statistically all teams have a chance, probability dictates that only a select few teams actually meet the criteria to be considered contenders. Identify the criteria and measure for it and then you can make an educated projection for future behavior. Saying "all teams have a *shot*" is lazy logic.

[thelead]

We wouldn't beat Miami even if Wade got injured. Hell, all playoff teams have a "shot" to win the championship. We are mental midgets. We have talent, but talent isn't everything.

Again, Miami is the clear favorite. Also, while statistically all teams have a chance, probability dictates that only a select few teams actually meet the criteria to be considered contenders. Identify the criteria and measure for it and then you can make an educated projection for future behavior. Saying "all teams have a *shot*" is lazy logic.

All I need to know is that we lost to the Hawks with essentially the same team. Did you see the Hawks last night against Miami (without LeBron and Wade)? Atlanta is awful and they beat us in six games... the year we made it to the finals we had a very good record against the elite teams and had a huge point margin against most opponents. We haven't been the same team since then.

[rcklsscognition]

Nash 7-7 for 19 points and 9 assists. Please.

[Orlando Prodigy]

Nash 7-7 for 19 points and 9 assists. Please.

This. But would they consider trading him?

[Truth24]

I still want to go out and make a trade for Kosta Koufos he would make for a great back up center and is still developing.

[Reverse_Angle]

Nash 7-7 for 19 points and 9 assists. Please.

This. But would they consider trading him?

Nash is getting fans to the game in PHX, the trade's gotta be very enticing for that to happen.

[rcklsscognition]

Nash 7-7 for 19 points and 9 assists. Please.

This. But would they consider trading him?

I don't know, but on the Dime today, they talked to Nash about asking for a trade. I could understand him requesting one if he felt his health and skill was declining or if he was locked into the Suns for the next 4 years with no hope of a ring. But, he's healthy and will be a FA this summer, so I'm not sure he needs to request. It might be best, but not sure he needs to yet.

[Bensational]

this isn't a 'panic post', based off of one result, but i think what we saw from the team tonight was pretty close to as good as it's going to get. the biggest things we can fix are crashing boards (a Ryno thing), making smarter passes (Jameer/JRich) and making shots (everyone), but even then i'm not sure we're capable of doing it 4 out of 7 games against one of the contenders.

so... i'm ready to scrap this team. do what we can to throw pieces around Dwight that have talent and promise enough to make him stay, and risk him leaving, because the alternative is riding this team into the sunset and then hoping Dwight opts to get back on this tired old horse in the morning. our guys aren't getting any younger (Turk, JRich, Nelson), and i'm not sure our young guys have the potential to do anything spectacular.

i'm not gonna bother suggesting who to go for, but i think Dwight is really seems to be making those final steps to becoming a great player (keeping his cool/passing more/not forcing offence/being a floor leader) , and he deserves a better cast around him. we, the fans, deserve to see that.

[94_MagicFan]

Trade for amare and chandler then cp3 might wanna come overrr cause of his love for Chandler