Yes or NO: Batum for Howard?

[Blazerlife]

We should give everything to Orlando for Howard.

I think this trade is very good for both teams.

Batum-Matthews-Camby-Gerald Wallace for Howard-Hedo

Orlando gets nice 2 young pieces.If they don't love them they can trade them.Camby and Wallace very good pieces.I don't know we can offer draft pick but if we can.We give 2012 1st.

[DaVoiceMaster]

You're starting lineup is:

Felton/Crawford/Turk/LMA/Howard

You're bench is:

N. Smith/Williams/Babbitt/C. Smith/Thomas

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Once Howard walks next summer, you have no true center on the roster unless Oden miraculously regains his form (regains for lack of a better word). Again...

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Howard would only agree to come to Portland if we were favorites to win it all. Even then, the draw of a big market would be as strong if not stronger.

Unless Portland can pull off a Batum/Camby/Oden for (unextended?) Howard trade, we are not going to be good enough to keep Howard. If Oden is playing very well by the trade deadline, that is the only chance we have a good enough package, and remain good enough, to get and keep Howard.

Even then, the bright lights of LA or Brooklyn are going to try their best to tempt him.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Does Howard have a no trade clause as part of his contract? If not, he has no say in where he goes this season and the Magic hold "most" of the cards. Next summer, he then holds "all" of the cards and can decide where he wants to play. What he's doing at this point, is making it known which teams he's interested in so he does hold "some" of the cards. Of the teams he has mentioned interest in, I would be curious to know what their cap space is because unless they have a butt-load of capspace, he won't get a lot of money unless it's via a S&T. Perhaps that's where the team with his current contract can regain some of the cards he's holding because they just might be able to dictate how much money he makes in this new contract "IF" a S&T is necessary. I can't remember who his 3 teams are... Lakers, Dallas and New Jersey (maybe?).

The Lakers have some big contracts to swap with Orlando, but I can't think the Magic would wanna swap Howard for Gasol & his $19 million contract. Bynum has a player option for $16 million so I can't really see him opting out, but is Bynum better overall than Howard (injuries could be a deciding factor).

Dallas has some expiring contracts, but will only have 5 players under contracts so there's not much of a team left (Dirk, Marion, Haywood, Beaubois & Jones).

Was New Jersey the third team? If so, they have lots of capspace to add Howard. I gotta think D-Will opts out for a new contract, can't imagine either Farmar or Shawne Williams opting out of their contracts, and am not sure what they would do with Lopez if they were getting Howard (maybe move him to PF?). I wouldn't think they'd have a whole lot of money leftover after resigning Williams (D-Will, Farmar, S. Williams, Morrow, Petro, M. Brooks, & Lopez).

I gotta think some type of S&T will be involved to get Howard to where he wants to play next summer. Some team might be able to capitalize on it if they wanna trade for Howard now. For example...

Portland sends Camby, Batum and whatever filler (maybe Oden if you've given up on him) to Orlando for Howard. Next summer, Portland sends Howard to the Lakers via a S&T for Gasol plus draft picks, etc. Portland resigns Felton and has a starting lineup of Felton/Matthews/Wallace/LMA/Gasol. Essentially, they trade Batum for Gasol since Camby is probably gone next summer anyways and Oden may be, as well. Would people consider that a decent return for Batum?

Portland sends Camby, Batum and whatever filler (maybe Oden if you've given up on him) to Orlando for Howard. Next summer, Portland sends Howard to the Mav's via a S&T for a resigned Terry, Beaubois & a resigned Mahinmi plus draft picks, etc. Portland is still lacking at the C position though with this type of trade. Could toss in Odom, but I just don't like that guy!

Portland sends Camby, Batum and whatever filler (maybe Oden if you've given up on him) to Orlando for Howard. Next summer, Portland sends Howard to the Nets via a S&T for Lopez & Morrow plus draft picks, etc. Portland has an okay starting lineup with Lopez now at C and Morrow becomes the shooter off the bench. With New Jersey, you may be able to capitalize off the draft picks.

Just a couple of options for bringing Howard to Portland. I don't know how possible they really are though, but he could also help win a championship this season, as well!!!

What are Howards reasons for going to those 3 specific teams?

[Blazerlife]

We should give everything we can except lamarcus for howard.If you gonna win you will need one superstar.Howard is top 5 player in the nba.In my deal maybe our starting lineup and bench are not very good but we have Howard and Aldridge.Felton and Crawford are very good players.We can sign some veteran players or trade.Mo Evans(Washington Wizards) for sg maybe.Finally I think ıf howard traded to us we can keep him.Portland is a very good team for him.Once he taste Rose Garden atmosphere he wants to remain.

[sisibilio]

On a related note, would you trade Batum for Varejao?
Assuming Wallace stays of course.
I'm hesitant on it, ideally we'd be able to make a package around Batum-Camby and go for Bogut, that would end the pipedreaming of signing Deron in the offseason though.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Blazerlife - I'm not as optimistic as you that Howard would re-sign in Portland.

[Blazerlife]

Yes It is true,howard can leave us after that trade but we should take that risk.With this group we don't have a chance to be contendor or pass the first round.With Howard despite with this roster i guarentee you we will go to the conference finals.

And if the things go badly we only have Hedo,Jamal and Aldridge's salary.I think Jamal wants to be free agent next year.We will have 2 players.We have some cap room we can sign and trade Howard.We will have options.

[deanwoof]

i was hoping the thread was about Josh Howard. . . . .