Lakers no longer require extension from Dwight Howard

[dtown8]

I'd still trade Gasol for Smith

Sund and then Ferry have declined the Lakers' offer for Smith so many times, that it is getting hilarious and sad at the same time

Smith > Gasol ..... it is not happening no matter how bad Lakers fans want Josh

[World Peace]

I'd still trade Gasol for Smith

Sund and then Ferry have declined the Lakers' offer for Smith so many times, that it is getting hilarious and sad at the same time

Smith > Gasol ..... it is not happening no matter how bad Lakers fans want Josh

Hawks fans are funny. Gasol is a much better player than Smith ever has or will be. Only reason Hawks declined is because they're rebuilding.

[yowyOw]

The title is misleading. I won't challenge Pincus' sources, but he's been wrong a lot of times in the past.

I think that if the Lakers pull the trade for Dwight, it's because they have already reached an agreement for his extension. A franchise like the Lakers cannot rent a guy like Howard for a year, losing Bynum and staying empty-handed next year; it makes no sense at all (even tho we all know that Jimmy Buss is not what we can call wise man).

I am sorry, but I think that either Eric was misunderstood or he didn't get the right info.

.

[ShowTimeERA]

I'd still trade Gasol for Smith

Sund and then Ferry have declined the Lakers' offer for Smith so many times, that it is getting hilarious and sad at the same time

Smith > Gasol ..... it is not happening no matter how bad Lakers fans want Josh

The reason why ATL declined was because LA wanted another valuable piece such as Teague while ATL wanted to unload their mistake of overapaying Marvin...

[vincecarter4pres]

It sounds like he's in the deal and they want Devin Ebanks to take that job at SF.

I see you speak Ghostface.

Classic case of Pot calling the kettle black...

Huh? Ghostface is the hardest of Wu Tang dialects to speak fluently, I was just giving props.

[vincecarter4pres]

The title is misleading. I won't challenge Pincus' sources, but he's been wrong a lot of times in the past.

I think that if the Lakers pull the trade for Dwight, it's because they have already reached an agreement for his extension. A franchise like the Lakers cannot rent a guy like Howard for a year, losing Bynum and staying empty-handed next year; it makes no sense at all (even tho we all know that Jimmy Buss is not what we can call wise man).

I am sorry, but I think that either Eric was misunderstood or he didn't get the right info.

.

Exactly.

Not everyone doubts LAL might win his affection and deal for him, at least I think it's a very real possibility Dwight becomes a Laker, but that will come with an assurance from Dwight, a virtual lock he will stay long term.

It's not going to be some huge gamble.

The Lakers have never been a desperate franchise in this mold and also it's beyond just losing Dwight if he walks, it's losing Bynum the trade chip and Bynum the contract when you're heavily above the cap even if Dwight walked, meaning no reasonable way to reload even if you can find another ripoff deal or someone truly big time that wants to force a S&T in 2013.

[ShowTimeERA]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
@Real_Ajay_Virk: Yes. Now if they sign Camby before getting Dwight, then I'd say Dwight is going to the Lakers.

[World Peace]

Yes. Now if they sign Camby before getting Dwight, then I'd say Dwight is going to the Lakers.

Source: Jarrod Rudolph

[Shaheen]

I've said it before I'll say it again

Steve Nash-38
Kobe Bryant-34 by next season
????
Gasol-32

How is that appealing to sign with long term? Its a two year window and then nothing. Why would Dwight automatically resign there when Dallas and Atlanta can surround him with young players and possibly get CP3?

Mitch is not stupid enough to do this.

[Jordan45822]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-b ... by-as-bait

since its not worth making a new thread.

The Houston Rockets continue to push hard to acquire draft picks and cap space in an effort to provide a package of assets that will entice the Orlando Magic to trade Dwight Howard, league sources told CBSSports.com Saturday.

One of the reasons Houston traded point guard Kyle Lowry to Toronto for what essentially is a guaranteed lottery pick was to sweeten the pot in a potential Howard trade, sources said. In discussions with the Knicks, Heat and now Nets about a sign-and-trade for Marcus Camby, the Rockets are hoping to accumulate more picks to make their trade package for Howard more attractive.

"The Rockets are definitely trying to make some sort of huge trade," said a person briefed on Houston's plans. "That's why they're trading all these things to get a bunch of picks. That's what they're up to."

Camby canceled his visit with the Heat Saturday after Miami used its taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Ray Allen away from the Celtics. The Heat and Rockets are continuing dialogue about a possible sign-and-trade that would allow Camby to make more than the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million, but the Heat lack future draft picks and non-guaranteed contracts to consummate the deal. Camby is likely to circle back with Miami after meeting with the Knicks Sunday and possibly the Nets in the coming days, sources said.

The Knicks have the non-guaranteed contracts of Dan Gadzuric, Jerome Jordan and Josh Harrelson, giving them the edge in a Camby sign-and-trade with pieces that could become cap-clearing chips allowing Houston to take on more salary in an eventual trade for Howard or other deals.

The Nets also have entered the Camby chase, with GM Billy King pursuing the 38-year-old center "pretty hard," according to a source. It is not clear whether this is an indication that the Nets believe their chances of landing Howard are diminishing; sources say Camby is being targeted as a backup in Brooklyn to either Howard or Brook Lopez. Depending on the timing of possible sign-and-trades for their own free agents -- chiefly Lopez and Kris Humphries -- the Nets have the ability to take on significant salary in a trade with Houston or Orlando.

Brooklyn's ability to take on money -- one of the chief goals for Orlando in a Howard trade -- is enhanced with sign-and-trade possibilities for Sundiata Gaines (up to $5 million), Armon Johnson (up to $1 million), Damion James (up to $1.3 million) and Shelden Williams (up to $1.3 million). Also eligible to be traded is MarShon Brooks, who is under contract next season at $1.2 million. That's a lot of flexibility. In addition to acquiring young players and picks, Orlando wants to unload the contracts of Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson or both in a Howard deal.

According to a person familiar with Orlando's plans, the same teams remain in the mix for a possible Howard deal: the Lakers, Nets, Rockets, Hawks and Mavericks. There has been no indication, however, from Howard or his agent, Dan Fegan, that the All-Star center is willing to relax his insistence on signing a long-term deal only with the Nets if traded. Similarly, the Magic would need assurances that Andrew Bynum -- the key piece in any deal with Los Angeles -- would sign a long-term deal as part of such a trade.

[World Peace]

I've said it before I'll say it again

Steve Nash-38
Kobe Bryant-34 by next season
????
Gasol-32

How is that appealing to sign with long term? Its a two year window and then nothing. Why would Dwight automatically resign there when Dallas and Atlanta can surround him with young players and possibly get CP3?

Mitch is not stupid enough to do this.

Your homerism is pathetic. Nash is every bit the player Williams is despite the age. Kobe is SO MUCH BETTER than Johnson right now. Gasol is still the most skilled big in the game. When Nash/Kobe retire probably in 2014 the Lakers will have a bunch of cap room. Dwight will be the man on the team and the Lakers will have more than enough cap room to get another star or two alongside Dwight.

[ShowTimeERA]

I've said it before I'll say it again

Steve Nash-38
Kobe Bryant-34 by next season
????
Gasol-32

How is that appealing to sign with long term? Its a two year window and then nothing. Why would Dwight automatically resign there when Dallas and Atlanta can surround him with young players and possibly get CP3?

Mitch is not stupid enough to do this.

Please stop it...LA is a first class organization for a reason...While the details to Nash's contract are not available at this time, I can only speculate to believe that the 3rd year will be a team option. Now with that said, after the 2014 season LA will have no player on the books aside from either Bynum or Howard in this hypothetical situation. What that means is LA has the ability to sign 2 more max free agents. Mitch is not going to swallow any poor contracts this summer that will negatively effect that plan and he's certainly not the GM who would be shallow enough to take on a horrible contract similar to that of Joe Johnson in which another franchise just did. So this nonsense of who is Dwight going to play with is just that "nonsense."

For reference:

The summer of 2014 has similar potential.

A lot can change over the next two years, but many executives around the league expect the 2014 offseason to be an exciting one.

The 2014 free agent class could include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Andrew Bogut among others.

Bryant, Nowitzki, Granger, Deng, Pierce, Gasol and Bogut will be unrestricted free agents that summer. James, Wade, Anthony, Stoudemire, Bosh, Gay and Randolph have either a player option or early termination option, which means they can opt-out and become unrestricted free agents.

The group has the potential to be one of the best free agent classes ever. They have a combined 10 championships and 76 All-Star appearances. The class could feature future Hall-of-Famers and some of the biggest names in the NBA.

One Western Conference executive believes that the 2014 class could be better than the 2010 group that created so much buzz.

“A lot of the players in the 2010 class hadn’t done anything yet, and they still haven’t,” the executive said. “The 2014 class, if everyone opts out, is much more accomplished.”

Executives around the league are already taking notice of this class and teams may start positioning themselves to be players during the summer of 2014.

[Shaheen]

Your homerism is pathetic. Nash is every bit the player Williams is despite the age. Kobe is SO MUCH BETTER than Johnson right now. Gasol is still the most skilled big in the game. When Nash/Kobe retire probably in 2014 the Lakers will have a bunch of cap room. Dwight will be the man on the team and the Lakers will have more than enough cap room to get another star or two alongside Dwight.

My homerism is pathetic? I'm not even talking about the Nets.

I'm saying the Lakers are too old to compete long term. Your homerism is blinding YOU if you think Kobe and Nash are going to be all-stars 3 years from now when Dwight is still in his prime.

Dwight does not want to "hope" another all-star comes to him. He wants players he can compete with long term. A dynasty.

And NO ONE except complete Laker homers would say Nash is as good as Deron. Thats a joke. And Gasol is not even CLOSE to them most skilled big man in the game. He's not even the most skilled big man on his team.

Come out your fantasy world and experience real life.

[Shaheen]

Please stop it...LA is a first class organization for a reason...While the details to Nash's contract are not available at this time, I can only speculate to believe that the 3rd year will be a team option. Now with that said, after the 2014 season LA will have no player on the books aside from either Bynum or Howard in this hypothetical situation. What that means is LA has the ability to sign 2 more max free agents. Mitch is not going to swallow any poor contracts this summer that will negatively effect that plan and he's certainly not the GM who would be shallow enough to take on a horrible contract similar to that of Joe Johnson in which another franchise just did. So this nonsense of who is Dwight going to play with is just that "nonsense."

For reference:

The summer of 2014 has similar potential.

A lot can change over the next two years, but many executives around the league expect the 2014 offseason to be an exciting one.

The 2014 free agent class could include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Andrew Bogut among others.

Bryant, Nowitzki, Granger, Deng, Pierce, Gasol and Bogut will be unrestricted free agents that summer. James, Wade, Anthony, Stoudemire, Bosh, Gay and Randolph have either a player option or early termination option, which means they can opt-out and become unrestricted free agents.

The group has the potential to be one of the best free agent classes ever. They have a combined 10 championships and 76 All-Star appearances. The class could feature future Hall-of-Famers and some of the biggest names in the NBA.

One Western Conference executive believes that the 2014 class could be better than the 2010 group that created so much buzz.

“A lot of the players in the 2010 class hadn’t done anything yet, and they still haven’t,” the executive said. “The 2014 class, if everyone opts out, is much more accomplished.”

Executives around the league are already taking notice of this class and teams may start positioning themselves to be players during the summer of 2014.

The promise of potentially being good is not enough for a player like Dwight to stay long term.

I don't think Dwight wants to compete for two years and then hope that someone else comes to help him in 2014. He wants to form a dynasty.

[MannyRam99]

And Gasol is not even CLOSE to them most skilled big man in the game. He's not even the most skilled big man on his team.

Im sorry I can't take it anymore ... I've seen posters rip you to shreds before for your asinine comments but this is getting ridicolous.

First you forgot you OWN team went to finals, now this ?

STOP. Enough. You're decelerated.

[Jajwanda]

I have a strong feeling that with an offer of up to 7 picks Houston will win this.

[Kobe System]

I've said it before I'll say it again

Steve Nash-38
Kobe Bryant-34 by next season
????
Gasol-32

How is that appealing to sign with long term? Its a two year window and then nothing. Why would Dwight automatically resign there when Dallas and Atlanta can surround him with young players and possibly get CP3?

Mitch is not stupid enough to do this.

I'm done.

You said you're done?

[World Peace]

Your homerism is pathetic. Nash is every bit the player Williams is despite the age. Kobe is SO MUCH BETTER than Johnson right now. Gasol is still the most skilled big in the game. When Nash/Kobe retire probably in 2014 the Lakers will have a bunch of cap room. Dwight will be the man on the team and the Lakers will have more than enough cap room to get another star or two alongside Dwight.

My homerism is pathetic? I'm not even talking about the Nets.

I'm saying the Lakers are too old to compete long term. Your homerism is blinding YOU if you think Kobe and Nash are going to be all-stars 3 years from now when Dwight is still in his prime.

Dwight does not want to "hope" another all-star comes to him. He wants players he can compete with long term. A dynasty.

And NO ONE except complete Laker homers would say Nash is as good as Deron. Thats a joke. And Gasol is not even CLOSE to them most skilled big man in the game. He's not even the most skilled big man on his team.

Come out your fantasy world and experience real life.

Dude you're seriously mentally (Please Use More Appropriate Word). Nash is a far, far more efficient player than Williams. He shoots a ridiculous 53 percent from the field while Deron barely shoots 40 percent which is awful for a point guard. Nash also averages more assists, nearly 11 a game while Deron averages less than 9. Both are below average defensively, but Nash is worlds better on the offensive end. What makes it most impressive about Nash is does all this in only 31 mpg.

[ShowTimeERA]

Please stop it...LA is a first class organization for a reason...While the details to Nash's contract are not available at this time, I can only speculate to believe that the 3rd year will be a team option. Now with that said, after the 2014 season LA will have no player on the books aside from either Bynum or Howard in this hypothetical situation. What that means is LA has the ability to sign 2 more max free agents. Mitch is not going to swallow any poor contracts this summer that will negatively effect that plan and he's certainly not the GM who would be shallow enough to take on a horrible contract similar to that of Joe Johnson in which another franchise just did. So this nonsense of who is Dwight going to play with is just that "nonsense."

For reference:

The summer of 2014 has similar potential.

A lot can change over the next two years, but many executives around the league expect the 2014 offseason to be an exciting one.

The 2014 free agent class could include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Andrew Bogut among others.

Bryant, Nowitzki, Granger, Deng, Pierce, Gasol and Bogut will be unrestricted free agents that summer. James, Wade, Anthony, Stoudemire, Bosh, Gay and Randolph have either a player option or early termination option, which means they can opt-out and become unrestricted free agents.

The group has the potential to be one of the best free agent classes ever. They have a combined 10 championships and 76 All-Star appearances. The class could feature future Hall-of-Famers and some of the biggest names in the NBA.

One Western Conference executive believes that the 2014 class could be better than the 2010 group that created so much buzz.

“A lot of the players in the 2010 class hadn’t done anything yet, and they still haven’t,” the executive said. “The 2014 class, if everyone opts out, is much more accomplished.”

Executives around the league are already taking notice of this class and teams may start positioning themselves to be players during the summer of 2014.

The promise of potentially being good is not enough for a player like Dwight to stay long term.

I don't think Dwight wants to compete for two years and then hope that someone else comes to help him in 2014. He wants to form a dynasty.

Promise? Deron will be 30 in 2 years, Joe and Wallace will be irrelevant...

Look at the free agent class and then tell me what teams will have cap space that summer? Then tell me what player/s wouldn't want to team up with Dwight and play for the Lakers? In the mean time LA has a great chance to win multiple rings while Kobe is still playing at a high level. On the other hand, Miami isn't going anywhere so while yes Dwight is paired to Deron for a much longer period, LA gives him the best chances to win now and in the future...

[Jajwanda]

I don't think this is the move the Lakers make, I honestly think Houston might get together an offer of picks Orlando can't deny.