Lakers no longer require extension from Dwight Howard

[AmerigoCorleone]

Yeah, Johnson and Wallace aren't getting younger and their fat contracts aren't exactly beneficial to the Nets.

That's why I fully believe that Dwight going to the Nets would be stupid. You go to the Lakers and have 2 legitimate years of contending, and once that falls through, the Lakers are known for attracting players.

How exactly will the Nets do anything in 3 years? Not enough resources.

[Shaheen]

What you seem to forget is that Dwight, Deron, JJ and Wallace would be all locked in at 70 million til the end of 14-15 atleast. Where do they grab the addl glue guys? You cant do that with vet minimums. Miami has 3 talented players at 45-50 million. You see the difference? Dwight by himself with capspace after potentially winning 1-2 with the current Lakers core is better than the Nets core with no addl key pieces or bench going up against Miami, healthy DRose Chicago and a Knicks team that may actually figure it out. The Nets dont win year 1-2 they are done. They cant make any moves unless they get rid of JJ and Wallace and good luck with that.

I don't get how JJ and Wallace are not glue guys? They are probably the best complimentary players you could ask for. We also have Teltovic long term.

Lets dispel the rumor that role players are so hard to get. Look at the Miami Heat. MLE and veterans on the minimum can go a long way.

You act like JJ and Wallace are terrible players with bad contracts. They are actually really good and productive players.

Cap Space is the most overrated thing ever. You have no guarantee that you will get anyone. Its all just based on what you could do.

[World Peace]

Avery Johnson said that Nets main focus now is re-signing Brook Lopez and Dwight trade is out of of their control.

Source: Stefan Bondy

[Shaheen]

Where Dwight messed up the Nets is when he opted in and now they have may moves that have shown they are willing to move on w/o him. This puts them financially in a bind. Could have had D12 and Deron last year with free cap space and a good pick to roll with. Now you are stuck with 2 guys in the lineup that are past their best years and only getting worse. The problem with Shanenee's opinion is that he seems to think that in 2 years JJ and Wallace will be as productive as they were in 2008 and Deron wont be pushing 30 himself while other PGs and teams are getting better and then you also have the Heat to deal with...but im sleep

Wallace and JJ will not be as productive as 2008 but they will still be good players.

Johnson was an all-star last year while putting up good numbers. Wallace is also still a good player. Don't know how this changes drastically in 2 years.

And at 30 Deron will be in his prime. Point guards do not decline at 30. Steve Nash was winning MVPs AFTER he reached the age of 30.

[AmerigoCorleone]

Avery Johnson said that Nets main focus now is re-signing Brook Lopez and Dwight trade is out of of their control.

Source: Stefan Bondy

Good. They're starting to realize their place.

[Shaheen]

Yeah, Johnson and Wallace aren't getting younger and their fat contracts aren't exactly beneficial to the Nets.

That's why I fully believe that Dwight going to the Nets would be stupid. You go to the Lakers and have 2 legitimate years of contending, and once that falls through, the Lakers are known for attracting players.

How exactly will the Nets do anything in 3 years? Not enough resources.

Johnson and Wallace are 31 and 30. Why do you guys keep acting like they are ancient?

Players can stay in their prime till about 35. Look at Kobe Bryant.

If Wallace and JJ will be old in 2 years than Kobe must be ancient because he is more than 2 years older than both of them.

With the Nets you have a core of Deron/Wallace/JJ for the next 4 years. With the Lakers you only have a 2 year window. Thats not attractive at all.

Deron Williams will always be the main attraction. But you guys just keep focusing on JJ and Wallace when they are just besides the point. Deron Williams is why it makes sense for Dwight.

Pairing with Deron Williams makes A LOT more sense then 34 year old Kobe. Deron Williams can be elite for the next 5 or 6 years.

[AmerigoCorleone]

1. Johnson and Wallace are 31 and 30. Why do you guys keep acting like they are ancient?

2. Players can stay in their prime till about 35. Look at Kobe Bryant.

3. If Wallace and JJ will be old in 2 years than Kobe must be ancient because he is more than 2 years older than both of them.

With the Nets you have a core of Deron/Wallace/JJ for the next 4 years. With the Lakers you only have a 2 year window. Thats not attractive at all.

Deron Williams will always be the main attraction. But you guys just keep focusing on JJ and Wallace when they are just besides the point. Deron Williams is why it makes sense for Dwight.

4. Pairing with Deron Williams makes A LOT more sense then 34 year old Kobe. Deron Williams can be elite for the next 5 or 6 years.

1. In the NBA, 30 is old. Historically, of course.

2. It's extremely rare for players to have their prime reach into their early 30s, let alone their mids. Kobe is no longer in his prime but, even then, he's considered one of the GOAT's in longevity. Expecting Johnson or Wallace to duplicate this is not reasonable.

3. It isn't just about age, but quality of play. At the moment, Nash is better than Johnson and Wallce, despite being close to a decade older. Kobe at 36 will be better than a prime Johnson or Wallace.

4. Deron will play at an elite level for at least 3 more seasons, but that's irrelevant. At the moment, it's not about Deron. No one is questioning his level of play. The problem, is that even a pairing of Dwight and Deron won't be enough (not even close) to tear down the mighty beast that is Lebron, Wade and Bosh. However, whatever pairing the Lakers end up, in the event they get Howard, will no doubt be enough.

[microfib4thewin]

In 2 years Deron will be 30 and past his athletic prime. Deron is more of a brute force player compared to CP3 who relies more on craftiness at operating in the paint. At that point, you're talking about maybe the 4th or 5th best PG in the league, with a 32 year old JJ and Crash. JJ will probably stay around the same, but his impact as a 3rd wheel will not be at an allstar level. Crash will probably turn into a role player who can play defense but not much else. He plays too reckless to maintain his efficiency on offense.

A core of a 30 year old Deron and a 32 year old JJ/Crash wouldn't be going anywhere either, and the Nets would have committed so much money on the 4 players it will be difficult to reload. In 2014 you have 20 mil a year for Dwight and Deron who would still have three years left on their contract, JJ who is paid 22 mil and with two years left, and Crash who is paid 10 mil with two years left. That is nearly 72 million committed to just 4 players, and unlike the old CBA where all you do is pay more tax, you can't use the full MLE or do S&T which limits options for any tax-paying team to make moves. If the Nets win a title in the next two years they might be able to convince people to come in with the mini MLE or the vet minimum like the Heat, but if they don't, how are they going to improve?

[Zedders]

Avery Johnson said that Nets main focus now is re-signing Brook Lopez and Dwight trade is out of of their control.

Source: Stefan Bondy

If Lopez signs a new contract then he can't be traded for a few months, puts them out of Dwight picture since I can't see him starting the season with Orlando.

[Kironte]

I think so too... That is blasphemous. Gasol helped the Lakers win two championships, I have never seen Wallace ever contribute anything close to that. Not to mention Gasol bball IQ >>>>> GW bball IQ.

I don't understand how this is so hard to understand.

Gasol has made his career off of Kobe Bryant.

Before Gasol played with Bryant he was an absolute joke. He used to get swept in the playoffs every year. His Grizzlies teams were a laughing stock.

There are so many players you could have put with Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Phil Jackson and watch them do work.

Gasol is just someone who get lucky and capitalized on his situation.

I'm not saying Wallace is as good as Gasol or Gasol hasn't had a better career but at this point they are similar in talent because Gasol's best days are behind him.

Gasol isn't the same he was in 2009 or 2010.

hahaha so hilarious Gasol was an allstar and was able to take some pretty bad Grizzlies teams to the playoffs for the first time in the history of the franchise and even lead them to a 50 win season on one of the thoughest west conferences.
Saying that many players could have done what he did to the lakers just shows how your ignorance is so dense it has its own gravitational force. And please name that boatload of players that can play elite level at both PF and C, can play on the perimeter and the post efficiently, are good rebounders, good defenders, good passers and high BBIQ.

And to says that they have similar talent now.....you are conscious that Gasol this years, with a diminished role as strech 4 has put almost the same stats as Wallaces best season???

[Siem]

In 2 years Deron will be 30 and past his athletic prime. Deron is more of a brute force player compared to CP3 who relies more on craftiness at operating in the paint. At that point, you're talking about maybe the 4th or 5th best PG in the league, with a 32 year old JJ and Crash. JJ will probably stay around the same, but his impact as a 3rd wheel will not be at an allstar level. Crash will probably turn into a role player who can play defense but not much else. He plays too reckless to maintain his efficiency on offense.

A core of a 30 year old Deron and a 32 year old JJ/Crash wouldn't be going anywhere either, and the Nets would have committed so much money on the 4 players it will be difficult to reload. In 2014 you have 20 mil a year for Dwight and Deron who would still have three years left on their contract, JJ who is paid 22 mil and with two years left, and Crash who is paid 10 mil with two years left. That is nearly 72 million committed to just 4 players, and unlike the old CBA where all you do is pay more tax, you can't use the full MLE or do S&T which limits options for any tax-paying team to make moves. If the Nets win a title in the next two years they might be able to convince people to come in with the mini MLE or the vet minimum like the Heat, but if they don't, how are they going to improve?

This aint the 1970's or 80 's, or even the 90's...In this day and age 30 is not old, esp. the way athletes keep in shape all year around and all of the suppliments etc.. offered nowadays that was not present in earlier era's..So a player can still be at the top of thier games at like 33-34. So we'll see.

[Shaheen]

1. In the NBA, 30 is old. Historically, of course.

2. It's extremely rare for players to have their prime reach into their early 30s, let alone their mids. Kobe is no longer in his prime but, even then, he's considered one of the GOAT's in longevity. Expecting Johnson or Wallace to duplicate this is not reasonable.

3. It isn't just about age, but quality of play. At the moment, Nash is better than Johnson and Wallce, despite being close to a decade older. Kobe at 36 will be better than a prime Johnson or Wallace.

4. Deron will play at an elite level for at least 3 more seasons, but that's irrelevant. At the moment, it's not about Deron. No one is questioning his level of play. The problem, is that even a pairing of Dwight and Deron won't be enough (not even close) to tear down the mighty beast that is Lebron, Wade and Bosh. However, whatever pairing the Lakers end up, in the event they get Howard, will no doubt be enough.

In the NBA 30 is not old. Dirk won his championship after 30. Kobe won both of his championships in 2009 and 2010 after 30. Pierce won his after 30. Duncan won his after 30.

Historically 30 is actually where a player is in his prime. Of the last 5 Finals MVP all of them have bee over 30 besides Lebron.

You're not making sense. Kobe is the GOAT is longevity? MJ was winning his 3 peat when he was older than Kobe is right now. And all the champions I listed were 30.

In fact its very rare for a player no to be at their best when they are in their early 30s.

Kobe at 36 will not be better than prime Johnson or Wallace common now. He can't keep up his level of play at that age.

Deron will play at an elite level for 5 or 6 more years as I just proved to you by how old players are when they win championships. You're not being objective at all.

JJ, Dwight, Deron, Wallace would be an excellent challenge to the Heat since they have no real interior defense and their scoring is dependent on the post.
OKC is an elite team on the rise. It is very possible that LA would lose to them even with Dwight. And Nets with Dwight are better than Lakers with Dwight. Only Lakers homers don't think that.

[World Peace]

@LarryCoon on @ESPNLA710 says Nets are still favorites, but Lakers are 2nd favorite for DH12. "If Nets are 50/50, Lakers are next at 25/30%"

Source: Mark Willard

[TheXFactor]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
Brooklyn's started talks with RFA Brook Lopez on extension, sources tell Y! Could be to stay with Nets or used in sign-and-trade with Magic.

[tiderulz]

We also have Teltovic long term.

remind me what he has done in the NBA?

[Shaheen]

In 2 years Deron will be 30 and past his athletic prime. Deron is more of a brute force player compared to CP3 who relies more on craftiness at operating in the paint. At that point, you're talking about maybe the 4th or 5th best PG in the league, with a 32 year old JJ and Crash. JJ will probably stay around the same, but his impact as a 3rd wheel will not be at an allstar level. Crash will probably turn into a role player who can play defense but not much else. He plays too reckless to maintain his efficiency on offense.

A core of a 30 year old Deron and a 32 year old JJ/Crash wouldn't be going anywhere either, and the Nets would have committed so much money on the 4 players it will be difficult to reload. In 2014 you have 20 mil a year for Dwight and Deron who would still have three years left on their contract, JJ who is paid 22 mil and with two years left, and Crash who is paid 10 mil with two years left. That is nearly 72 million committed to just 4 players, and unlike the old CBA where all you do is pay more tax, you can't use the full MLE or do S&T which limits options for any tax-paying team to make moves. If the Nets win a title in the next two years they might be able to convince people to come in with the mini MLE or the vet minimum like the Heat, but if they don't, how are they going to improve?

Deron is a point guard. He does not really heavily on athleticism. A lot of his game is posting up in the pain and shooting.

At 30 Deron will clearly be in his prime. You don't know what you're talking about. If Steve Nash can win his MVPs after 30 then Deron can clearly be in his prime at 30. He will remain a top 3 PG for sure.

You don't watch enough of Deron. He does not play recklessly at all. And rather 31 and 31 year old JJ and Wallace then 40 year old Nash and 34 year old Gasol. We don't have to use the full MLE. Plenty of players will be happy to take 3 million.

They don't have to win a title to convince people to come. Players come to conceding teams all the team. Look at Nash coming to you guys.

Overall, the argument that a player at 30 is past his prime has no backing. All of the past 5 champions except Lebron were lead by players past 30.

We can easily reload with veteran minimums and MLE players who would love for the chance to play with Dwight and Deron in their prime.

[The Skyhook]

Avery Johnson said that Nets main focus now is re-signing Brook Lopez and Dwight trade is out of of their control.

Source: Stefan Bondy

Looks like this guy is legit. Woj just tweeted something similar.

[Trader_Joe]

Looks like Nets are ready to move on and sign Lopez to risk not losing him. Great news for LAL. If the Nets are out of it their offer can be scaled back to just Bynum...no bad contracts taken back or additional incentive.

[World Peace]

Looks like Nets are ready to move on and sign Lopez to risk not losing him. Great news for LAL. If the Nets are out of it their offer can be scaled back to just Bynum...no bad contracts taken back or additional incentive.

Or they could be sign and trading Lopez to the Magic.

[Shaheen]

We also have Teltovic long term.

remind me what he has done in the NBA?

Ok. Way to pick apart one part of my post when I was talking about players the Nets have long term.

Your sarcasm has nothing to do with this topic or my post.