If Oklahoma City potentially landed Dwight Howard..

[nubbb]

Wait, there are still people who honestly believe there's a slight possibility of Howard staying?

A generational talent who got bounced in the first round by a 44 win team because he doesn't have one above average teammate is going to stay? Really? No player cares about the fans, nor should they. Some act as if Howard (or any superstar player) has a personal relationship with all of the tens of thousands of people who choose to watch him put a ball through a hoop. Sorry, but that isn't the case.

Howard is gone. To where nobody has a clue, but it's not gonna be in Orlando.

What a terrible post, seriously.

[DaRealHibachi]

Am I the only person who thinks it's foolish to trade Westbrook at all? I know it's Dwight but if I'm OKC I would NEVER trade Westbrook, not for anything. Idk someone try to talk sense into me.

Not sure if serious...

If the Thunder backcourt was really weak then I'd consider it, that is all. At this point I don't think Oklahoma needs to sacrifice one of the best point guards in the league when they already have one of the best defensive frontcourts.

Nah, you're right...


Getting the best bigman in the league for atleast 4/5 years for a PG who may or may not be in the top 5 in 5 years is a bad deal indeed...

[shobe_81]

Orlando would have to dump either Arenas or Hedo

OKC wouldn't keep both Perkins & Howard.

Westbrooks+Perkins+Ibaka

for Howard+Hedo or Arenas

Howard is worth more than Westbrooks (all-star)+Perkins (role player)

[SaveOurBullets]

That's a little too much to give up, even for Howard. Take out Harden and I would probably do it as an OKC fan.

It's Dwight freakin' Howard.

[koogiking]

Now that is a deal I would take for Howard, but I'm sure if the Magic trade Howard, they will make the other team take Arenas or Hedo with him.

Denver couldn't even get NY to take on Al Harrington who is on an MLE deal, so the Magic will definately NOT be able to make Sam Presti or any team take on Arenas horrible contract. Especially when it's Otis smith making the deal.

[reapaman]

Not gonna happen, Howards not needed. The Durant haters just want it so they can have a knock against him later saying that he needed Howard or CP3 to get it done.

He will be fine with the sensational little chucker as his sidekick along with Iblocka and others. Those other guys can team up all they want, you can't stop greatnesses.

[SaveOurBullets]

Not gonna happen, Howards not needed. The Durant haters just want it so they can have a knock against him later saying that he needed Howard or CP3 to get it done.

He will be fine with the sensational little chucker as his sidekick along with Iblocka and others. Those other guys can team up all they want, you can't stop greatnesses.

Of course Howard is needed. It's Dwight freakin' Howard. Pair him up with Durant and the Thunder are unstoppable. What they have right now is contender worthy, but far from unstoppable.

[Isaiah11]

Too much to give up...

[Bumi]

I'd say, more than anything else, today showed that the Thunder need to make a trade like this. Whether it be for Dwight Howard; which is possible, or someone like Kevin Love. The Thunder need a back to the basket scoring threat.

In my opinion, deal Westbrook right now while his value is still high. He's a great player, and athletic as all hell, but his mentality isn't that of a guard that's going to make those around him better. He wants to be that guy, and that wont happen in OKC. Package he, Perkins, and filler, for a dominate post presence. Both parties win. Westbrook is offered an opportunity to be the #1 option elsewhere, and the Thunder get that final necessary piece to win a title.

Someone fwd the OP's post to Sam Presti.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I don't think they should trade Harden at all. Westbrook+Perk+picks should be more than enough to get the job done. Orlando has no leverage in this situation, as it's becoming more and more likely that Dwight walks, especially after what we've seen with the Heat situation. They're not going to get a better deal than that. Harden's value on OKC will be so much higher with Westbrook gone. Harden gets very little touches right now, and is relegated to mostly a spot up shooter yet he stil manages to be very effective. If you trade Westbrook, put Harden in the starting line up with 35+ minutes a game, he will produce 20/5/5 numbers, with a steal or two to boot. Honestly, you have so many options and so much balance with that team. Pick and rolls with Harden and Durant/Dwight. Iso Durant. Post up Howard occasionally. Not to mention every miss is being jammed back by Ibaka and Howard. And that's just talking about offense. That would be one of the best defensive teams in the league, maybe of all time. The best shot blocking frontcourt ever? Wow, that could be scary and seems very possible. With Harden still being on his rookie contract, they might still be able to make a move or two as well. Though even plugging someone in there like Kirk Hinrich at PG would be fine too.

As a Magic fan, I don't want Howard to leave....whether he does or not will be on him...but to say that Orlando doesn't have any leverage and YET have what OKC wants, to me is incredulous at best. Orlando doesn't need or want Harden, Westbrook or anyone else for Dwight Howard. If they are going to trade him, which I doubt, I think they'll either have him sign an extension or let him walk, they will have all the leverage in the world because they can trade him against any team. I'm sure he'll be just as valuable for any team.

[tiderulz]

Not gonna happen, Howards not needed. The Durant haters just want it so they can have a knock against him later saying that he needed Howard or CP3 to get it done.

He will be fine with the sensational little chucker as his sidekick along with Iblocka and others. Those other guys can team up all they want, you can't stop greatnesses.

still believe this?

[Bumi]

I don't think they should trade Harden at all. Westbrook+Perk+picks should be more than enough to get the job done. Orlando has no leverage in this situation, as it's becoming more and more likely that Dwight walks, especially after what we've seen with the Heat situation. They're not going to get a better deal than that. Harden's value on OKC will be so much higher with Westbrook gone. Harden gets very little touches right now, and is relegated to mostly a spot up shooter yet he stil manages to be very effective. If you trade Westbrook, put Harden in the starting line up with 35+ minutes a game, he will produce 20/5/5 numbers, with a steal or two to boot. Honestly, you have so many options and so much balance with that team. Pick and rolls with Harden and Durant/Dwight. Iso Durant. Post up Howard occasionally. Not to mention every miss is being jammed back by Ibaka and Howard. And that's just talking about offense. That would be one of the best defensive teams in the league, maybe of all time. The best shot blocking frontcourt ever? Wow, that could be scary and seems very possible. With Harden still being on his rookie contract, they might still be able to make a move or two as well. Though even plugging someone in there like Kirk Hinrich at PG would be fine too.

As a Magic fan, I don't want Howard to leave....whether he does or not will be on him...but to say that Orlando doesn't have any leverage and YET have what OKC wants, to me is incredulous at best. Orlando doesn't need or want Harden, Westbrook or anyone else for Dwight Howard. If they are going to trade him, which I doubt, I think they'll either have him sign an extension or let him walk, they will have all the leverage in the world because they can trade him against any team. I'm sure he'll be just as valuable for any team.

Do the Magic really want to end up like Cleveland? At the very least, Westbrook gives them a top 20 player, and top 5 PG to build around. They could essentially replicate what the Bulls have done with Derrick Rose.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Do the Magic really want to end up like Cleveland? At the very least, Westbrook gives them a top 20 player, and top 5 PG to build around. They could essentially replicate what the Bulls have done with Derrick Rose.

If Orlando trade away Dwight Howard, they really won't make any noise in the playoffs it makes no sense to continue having a $90 million payroll without the slightest hope of being a contender, so, if Dwight wants to leave, I would let him walk, so not to take on more salary and trade everyone else who is highly overpaid and begin rebuilding. Let's be real, if DH leaves Orlando, we'll be in rebuilding mode anyway and I'm not sure what to become of the Magic in the Amway Center, but why add more salary? And the truth of the matter is, no matter where a player go, a guaranteed championship isn't always there, things change life change and the makeup and chemistry of a team is always different. One year your team could suck or get better, one trade your team could rise or fall , and next year everything changes. There is not a lot of parity in the NBA but there also no guarantees. But to continue having such a high payroll with DH gone will handicap this team even more than they already are.

[Bumi]

Do the Magic really want to end up like Cleveland? At the very least, Westbrook gives them a top 20 player, and top 5 PG to build around. They could essentially replicate what the Bulls have done with Derrick Rose.

If Orlando trade away Dwight Howard, they really won't make any noise in the playoffs it makes no sense to continue having a $90 million payroll without the slightest hope of being a contender, so, if Dwight wants to leave, I would let him walk, so not to take on more salary and trade everyone else who is highly overpaid and begin rebuilding. Let's be real, if DH leaves Orlando, we'll be in rebuilding mode anyway and I'm not sure what to become of the Magic in the Amway Center, but why add more salary? And the truth of the matter is, no matter where a player go, a guaranteed championship isn't always there, things change life change and the makeup and chemistry of a team is always different. One year your team could suck or get better, one trade your team could rise or fall , and next year everything changes. There is not a lot of parity in the NBA but there also no guarantees.

Look at Denver.

Look at Cleveland.

That's why you trade for pieces to build around.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Look at Denver.

Look at Cleveland.

That's why you trade for pieces to build around.

Dwight Howard IS the Orlando Magic, we won't get anyone back for him. He lead the team in blocks, steals, points, and rebounds, no way we get talent equal to.

[Bumi]

Look at Denver.

Look at Cleveland.

That's why you trade for pieces to build around.

Dwight Howard IS the Orlando Magic, we won't get anyone back for him.

This isn't registering?

[We da Pressed]

Look at Denver.

Look at Cleveland.

That's why you trade for pieces to build around.

Dwight Howard IS the Orlando Magic, we won't get anyone back for him.

This isn't registering?

ORLMagicGirl15

There is your problem

[ORLMagicGirl15]

This isn't registering?

He was the Orlando Magic defense, he lead the team in points, blocks, rebounds and steals. No matter who we get, it won't be as good as the talent we're letting go. And if you're going to keep the same makeup, it won't work especially if SVG would continue playing the 4-1, which I doubt because he won't have a center who could do it. If Orlando would trade Dwight for anyone, I'm willing to bet that traded person would be gone in a season or two anyway and Orlando would still not make noise in the playoff.

So, if I was Orlando I most definitely would not trade Dwight in the off season. I'll do everything possible to make trades for people this year and see how things go before the trade deadline in 2012 and assess and see what Dwight wants then. If things don't pan out this next season, then ask him if he wants to leave. IF Dwight ask to be traded than I think Orlando should honor that because he did everything he could possibly do for this team but if he does not ask for a trade then I would defintely gamble with him signing an extension or walking.

[Bumi]

This isn't registering?

He was the Orlando Magic defense, he lead the team in points, blocks, rebounds and steals. No matter who we get, it won't be as good as the talent we're letting go. And if you're going to keep the same makeup, it won't work especially if SVG would continue playing the 4-1, which I doubt because he won't have a center who could do it. If Orlando would trade Dwight for anyone, I'm willing to bet that traded person would be gone in a season or two anyway and Orlando would still not make noise in the playoff.

And, in your opinion: You'd rather let him walk for nothing, and become the Cavs, then get something in return? No, it wont be equal value. You'll never get equal value when dealing a superstar, but it'll give you something to build upon.

[tiderulz]

As a Magic fan, I don't want Howard to leave....whether he does or not will be on him...but to say that Orlando doesn't have any leverage and YET have what OKC wants, to me is incredulous at best. Orlando doesn't need or want Harden, Westbrook or anyone else for Dwight Howard. If they are going to trade him, which I doubt, I think they'll either have him sign an extension or let him walk, they will have all the leverage in the world because they can trade him against any team. I'm sure he'll be just as valuable for any team.

some other Magic fans would say that IF Dwight wants out and would go to OKC, we would definitely take Westbrook, Harden and Ibaka for Dwight+ filler.