josh howard sitting...conspiracy?

[ben d]

I might just have a crazy idea, but do y'all think they might be sitting Howard longer than he needs because they're setting up a trade with him?

[HMFFL]

He's going to play against Atlanta. It's not wise to move him right now, so I don't think that's the case at all, and Josh is putting up some career highs.

[dirkforpres]

Dont you want to showcase a player by playing him before you trade him? I think the past 9 games have shown that Howard is expendable, but I doubt they are looking to trade him

[mffl_14]

Dont you want to showcase a player by playing him before you trade him? I think the past 9 games have shown that Howard is expendable, but I doubt they are looking to trade him

I dont think they are looking to trade him just yet. As far as Howard being expendable that I'm not sure about. I think we are just seeing that this team is a little deeper than what we thought but overall even if Josh doesn't show up in the 4th qtr you always need a solid 20 & 7 every night. I think with Josh we beat the Lakers the other night, with Josh I think we play more solid against the Clippers. There's still a big need for Josh or someone at that talent level at that position. What is the world coming too when I have complemented JJB and JHo all in one night !

[JES12]

This team is rolling...when Howard comes back it will feel like we trade a nobody for a fringe all-star.

But I will admit that DDansby got me thinking last week about moving Howard for a better fit since we are moving the ball better. Howard-Wallace would be a good swap, but I just refuse to take someone who is on a 5 year contract can can be the next Darius Miles on his next cucussion.

If some team like the Bulls look to dump a player like Deng (who has a long deal abd playing like crap ths far) for Stack's expiring, I would give up 2010 hopes and trade Howard for Wallace. But I would resign Kidd to a 2 year deal while retaining Barea and Terry.

[fazer86]

if we get bosh in 2010
Deng would look like a sexy pairing with Boshy
but if JJ is our starting PG by then i dont think Bosh will be looking at us as a title contender
hopefully Barea will be our energy off the bench as a back up PG
dang man i would love to see BOSH in a maverick uniform...Shawne Williams my friend
you will have to relinquish the number #4

[Basketballmania]

if we get bosh in 2010
Deng would look like a sexy pairing with Boshy
but if JJ is our starting PG by then i dont think Bosh will be looking at us as a title contender
hopefully Barea will be our energy off the bench as a back up PG
dang man i would love to see BOSH in a maverick uniform...Shawne Williams my friend
you will have to relinquish the number #4

which number do you think would he take instead of #4?

[Captain_Obvious]

His trade value has become better, i think. We'll see who is available at the TDL and before, if we get a good fit he will be gone. We are 6-1 without him, I dont know if he fits with this team any longer. It seems this new system is better without him (and Stackhouse). I always felt Stackhouse and Josh react the same way in certain situations when they stop ballmoving and go 5 on 1.

Maybe Carlisle tries new things with him like becoming 6th man, that could actually work out.

[2011Champs]

The Mavs chemistry seems to be so much better without Howard. At this point trading him would be addition by subtraction. I think the Mavs should look to trade Howard for an expiring + one or two first round picks. I hope if/when he plays all the progress made will not be ruined. I would not mind all Howard"s off court antics if it translated to bringing toughness and a thug mentality to the court, but he leaves the thug life off the court and plays relatively soft.

[jwa1107]

you keep J-Ho for the S&T piece you'll need in 2010...

[fazer86]

We need josh and their nothing around it
if we could get Granger or Rudy Gay to replace him in a trade or somethin
thas one of the only ways id get rid of him
his contract is helpful as well
i do agree with you guys though that he does kill the ball movement alot because he likes to go into his triple threat stance whre he always goes for his step back jump shot

[DDansby123]

But I will admit that DDansby got me thinking last week about moving Howard for a better fit since we are moving the ball better. Howard-Wallace would be a good swap, but I just refuse to take someone who is on a 5 year contract can can be the next Darius Miles on his next cucussion.

The ball movement is infintely better without Josh, and I'm not convinced that the defense isn't better, too. I know Josh is a very good player, but he's still a black hole offensively, and I don't see nearly as much movement (of the ball and the players, too) with Josh on the court.

I don't know what a better fit would be, though. I wonder if a defensive stopper and a draft pick would be enough (e.g., Raja Bell, filler, and a Phoenix first). I doubt I'd do that deal, but something along those lines. Or, perhaps we'd be better with someone who can penetrate and score. Probably moot anyway.

[jtg41]

If he is to play against the Hawks, we'll truly see if we improve or decline with Howard's presence. Hopefully the way we are playing now doesn't get infected with Josh-Howards "black-hole" like play where once the ball goes to him it's not going back to anyone else.

[sweet daddy]

Finally ... the conspiracy revealed

[daoneandonly]

If we could somehow pull off a trade of Jet and Howard (probably have to include bass or green) for Joe Johnson and Speedy, I think that would do wonders for this team. Ball movement will greatly increase, defense will be betetr, and joe johnson doesnt fade in the 4th quarter liek howard. I doubt it happens, but then i'd start Shawne Williams at sf and see what happens

[2011Champs]

There is no reason to wait to trade J Ho if we can get cap relief and draft picks now. If his trade value is at a high now so why not take advantage of it? Mavs are not going to get a better deal in 2010 with an two year older Howard in a sign and trade. Trade him now, Dec 15th with filler, or at the trade deadline but why keep him to put up empty stats that are not translating into wins. He is an asset that would be better off used to build for the future. Here are some ideas....
1. Josh Howard to the Clippers for Marcus Camby + 1st round pick
2. Josh Howard to the Cavaliers for Varejao and Pavlovic+ 1st round pick(s)
3. Josh Howard to the Nets for Bobby Simmons + 1st round pick(s)
4. Josh Howard to the Raptors for Parker and Kapono + 1st round picks
5. Josh Howard to the Thunder for Mason and Smith + 1st round pick

These are just possibilities right now but there are tons more if filler is added or third teams are involved. Do the Mavs recieve equal value now? NO But these are trades for the future to recieve picks and recieve players that can play now and will save money by expiring before Howard's contract would. The Mavs need to build through the draft for the future. Howard is not the future. Its time to move on. I am not drinking the 2010 free agent market kool-aid. The chances are very very slim the Mav's sign a top ten player(other than just re sign Dirk).

[Captain_Obvious]

Josh, Bass, Stack for TMac

In a heartbeat

[2011Champs]

Josh, Bass, Stack for TMac

In a heartbeat

I would also but not sure where they play Howard with Artest. They are both SF...would Artest move to PF or Howard to SG? As a Mav's fan I would do it but I think Houston passes...not really sure how much they value the TMac.

[Captain_Obvious]

Houston does it to get to the second round. lol

I'm assuming he will be on the block at some point when he gets more fake-injuries. There will be more teams looking for trades before TDL. Gotta find the right taker for Josh.

[poklop12]

We need Howard sooner or later. If Terry or Dirk are shooting cold on nights, the only other player that has the ability to score is Howard. Many people don't realize that because Terry has been on fire for awhile but it might not last the whole season.