Lakers no longer require extension from Dwight Howard

[LakerLegend]

If the Magic get Bynum they can rebuild overnight per Devos wishes, they will have no problem attracting stars to that market.

[rockynpolo]

The last time the lakers made a "hard push" they ended up with hall of famer 2 tyme MVP.

[LakerLegend]

Dwight doesnt want to come here because he doesnt want to be seen as a copycat of Shaq. I trust that once he's here and that gets engulfed by everything else we have to offer.....he'll be happy as a clam.

[Jordan45822]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nets- ... oward.html

Brooklyn Nets emerge again as strong contender to land Dwight Howard
6 minutes ago

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The Orlando Magic have intensified discussions about trading Dwight Howard, and the Brooklyn Nets are rapidly overtaking the Los Angeles Lakers as the strongest contender to land the disenchanted All-Star center, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Dwight Howard has listed only one team as his desired trade destination: the Brooklyn Nets. (AP)Despite Orlando’s desire to make Lakers center Andrew Bynum the centerpiece of a trade package, a significant stumbling block remains in Bynum’s reluctance to commit to a long-term contract if he's traded to the Magic, sources said. Orlando doesn’t want to face the possibility of trading for Bynum only to lose him to free agency after the upcoming season.

The appeal of the Lakers' potential package for Bynum has also been diminished with Los Angeles sending its 2013 and 2015 first-round draft picks to the Phoenix Suns in the Steve Nash sign-and-trade deal. The NBA doesn’t allow teams to trade first-round picks in consecutive years, so the Lakers can’t offer Orlando their 2014 and 2016 first-round picks.

The Magic are portraying patience in making a deal for Howard, but have a strong distaste for engaging in a prolonged process that drags into the summer. From new general manager Rob Hennigan through Orlando ownership, the Magic want to find the best possible deal for Howard soon and cut ties with him, sources said.

As Orlando sorts through the offers, Howard's potential destination is increasingly looking like the Nets, sources said.

[Also: Kevin Love urges Timberwolves to upgrade their roster soon]

Bynum, 24, has one year left on his Lakers’ contract and has a short list of potential teams with salary-cap space and supporting cast that primarily include the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a "couple others" on the list, league sources said. If Bynum remains with the Lakers past the Howard derby, he’ll have strong incentive to accept a maximum contract extension to stay in L.A., sources said. Otherwise, he has expressed a desire to test the free-agent market.

As much as Hennigan prefers to send Howard to a Western Conference team, the Magic keep coming back to the Nets as the best, safest package. Howard’s preferred trade partner – Brooklyn – has pushed into overdrive in offering up trade scenarios and options for the Magic, sources said. For now, Orlando prefers Nets restricted free-agent center Brook Lopez as a centerpiece player over having its pick of the Houston Rockets' roster, sources said.

The Nets started extension discussions with Lopez over the weekend, preparing for the possibility he could stay with them on a five-year deal or be moved to the Magic in a four-year contract as part of a sign-and-trade package for Howard. Lopez has been seeking a maximum contract extension --- five years for $75 million --- from Brooklyn, but the two sides are still negotiating a number. If Lopez is sent to the Magic in a sign-and-trade, the most he could get is $58 million over four years.

There have been three-team scenarios discussed where Orlando gets Lopez, and others where he could go elsewhere and the Magic would be compensated with as many as four future first-round draft picks, sources said. Nevertheless, the Magic are likely to take Lopez for themselves should they trade Howard to the Nets.

Hennigan has been consistent in pushing teams to offer him multiple first-round picks, as well as be able to absorb one of the Magic’s high-priced veteran contracts, including Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson, sources said.

[Also: Dislike of Rajon Rondo partly why Ray Allen chose Miami]

Brooklyn has been searching for a third team willing to take free-agent forward Kris Humphries in a sign-and-trade deal. One team with salary-cap space – the Cleveland Cavaliers – would be willing to take Humphries on a potential one-year, $8 million or $9 million contract with no small condition: The Cavaliers would have to be compensated with at least one first-round draft pick, sources said. The Cavaliers have no interest in Humphries, one of the league’s best rebounders, as they rebuild their roster with young talent, and would add him exclusively as a means to stockpile even more draft picks over the next few years.

Orlando further signaled its desire to start a complete rebuilding process when it sent restricted free-agent forward Ryan Anderson to the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday in a sign-and-trade deal. Anderson would’ve signed an offer sheet with the Hornets for $36 million over four years, and the Magic decided that was too steep a price to match. They Magic acquired backup center Gustavo Ayon in the sign-and-trade deal.

[chubby_1_kenobi]

If I remember correct Pingalore was the guy who reported that Howard was pushing Orlando's management to fire SVG right before the "awkward" interview.

[inquisitive]

which ever team that takes Hedo is probably gonna have the edge in getting D12 too

[TheXFactor]

which ever team that takes Hedo is probably gonna have the edge in getting D12 too

I think that is what the Magics are hoping from the Lakers.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets snag Howard out of no where. I just can't envision Orlando trading him to the Nets to be locked in a max or close to max contract of Lopez

[Trader_Joe]

which ever team that takes Hedo is probably gonna have the edge in getting D12 too

I think that is what the Magics are hoping from the Lakers.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets snag Howard out of no where. I just can't envision Orlando trading him to the Nets to be locked in a max or close to max contract of Lopez

Rockets drafted nice pieces this year but cannot trade any picks to Orlando for some time because of the protection they put on the #1 they traded to the Nets no less. I think Orlando wants picks of their own.

[inquisitive]

which ever team that takes Hedo is probably gonna have the edge in getting D12 too

I think that is what the Magics are hoping from the Lakers.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets snag Howard out of no where. I just can't envision Orlando trading him to the Nets to be locked in a max or close to max contract of Lopez

The Rockets would probably take Hedo's contract back and not have the Magic take any bad contracts bad in return...in other words, i notice the Rockets were looking and seeking players with expiring deals or non-guaranteed contracts ...most likely to send as package to the Magic, so Orlando doesn't get stuck with bad long term contracts...just my observation

e.g..camby situation where they were looking for a pick and non-guaranteed/expiring deals from Knicks for S&T

[Trader_Joe]

Right now it sounds like LA either has to get Bynum to verbally commit to staying in Orlando after the season (because it's not fair to get him to extend and lose the money he could get in free agency), or turn this into a larger deal including Gasol.

[Jordan45822]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... ward-trade

[LaLa]

cmon Brooklyn, close this out and get Dwight.

[Trader_Joe]

which ever team that takes Hedo is probably gonna have the edge in getting D12 too

I think that is what the Magics are hoping from the Lakers.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets snag Howard out of no where. I just can't envision Orlando trading him to the Nets to be locked in a max or close to max contract of Lopez

The Rockets would probably take Hedo's contract back and not have the Magic take any bad contracts bad in return...in other words, i notice the Rockets were looking and seeking players with expiring deals or non-guaranteed contracts ...most likely to send as package to the Magic, so Orlando doesn't get stuck with bad long term contracts...just my observation

e.g..camby situation where they were looking for a pick and non-guaranteed/expiring deals from Knicks for S&T

What do you think the trade could look like and a roster Houston could put together?

[LakerLegend]

Cavs trying to stop LeBron from getting to the Finals every year

[World Peace]

The Orlando Magic have intensified discussions about trading Dwight Howard, and the Brooklyn Nets are rapidly overtaking the Los Angeles Lakers as the strongest contender to land the disenchanted All-Star center, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Despite Orlando’s desire to make Lakers center Andrew Bynum the centerpiece of a trade package, a significant stumbling block remains in Bynum’s reluctance to commit to a long-term contract if he's traded to the Magic, sources said. Orlando doesn’t want to face the possibility of trading for Bynum only to lose him to free agency after the upcoming season.

The appeal of the Lakers' potential package for Bynum has also been diminished with Los Angeles sending its 2013 and 2015 first-round draft picks to the Phoenix Suns in the Steve Nash sign-and-trade deal. The NBA doesn’t allow teams to trade first-round picks in consecutive years, so the Lakers can’t offer Orlando their 2014 and 2016 first-round picks.

The Magic are portraying patience in making a deal for Howard, but have a strong distaste for engaging in a prolonged process that drags into the summer. From new general manager Rob Hennigan through Orlando ownership, the Magic want to find the best possible deal for Howard soon and cut ties with him, sources said.

As Orlando sorts through the offers, Howard's potential destination is increasingly looking like the Nets, sources said.

Bynum, 24, has one year left on his Lakers’ contract and has a short list of potential teams with salary-cap space and supporting cast that primarily include the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a "couple others" on the list, league sources said. If Bynum remains with the Lakers past the Howard derby, he’ll have strong incentive to accept a maximum contract extension to stay in L.A., sources said. Otherwise, he has expressed a desire to test the free-agent market.

As much as Hennigan prefers to send Howard to a Western Conference team, the Magic keep coming back to the Nets as the best, safest package. Howard’s preferred trade partner – Brooklyn – has pushed into overdrive in offering up trade scenarios and options for the Magic, sources said. For now, Orlando prefers Nets restricted free-agent center Brook Lopez as a centerpiece player over having its pick of the Houston Rockets' roster, sources said.

The Magic would be taking a risk trading for Andrew Bynum if he won't commit to staying. (Getty Images)The Nets started extension discussions with Lopez over the weekend, preparing for the possibility he could stay with them on a five-year deal or be moved to the Magic in a four-year contract as part of a sign-and-trade package for Howard. Lopez has been seeking a maximum contract extension --- five years for $75 million --- from Brooklyn, but the two sides are still negotiating a number. If Lopez is sent to the Magic in a sign-and-trade, the most he could get is $58 million over four years.

There have been three-team scenarios discussed where Orlando gets Lopez, and others where he could go elsewhere and the Magic would be compensated with as many as four future first-round draft picks, sources said. Nevertheless, the Magic are likely to take Lopez for themselves should they trade Howard to the Nets.

Hennigan has been consistent in pushing teams to offer him multiple first-round picks, as well as be able to absorb one of the Magic’s high-priced veteran contracts, including Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson, sources said.

Brooklyn has been searching for a third team willing to take free-agent forward Kris Humphries in a sign-and-trade deal. One team with salary-cap space – the Cleveland Cavaliers – would be willing to take Humphries on a potential one-year, $8 million or $9 million contract with no small condition: The Cavaliers would have to be compensated with at least one first-round draft pick, sources said. The Cavaliers have no interest in Humphries, one of the league’s best rebounders, as they rebuild their roster with young talent, and would add him exclusively as a means to stockpile even more draft picks over the next few years.

Orlando further signaled its desire to start a complete rebuilding process when it sent restricted free-agent forward Ryan Anderson to the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday in a sign-and-trade deal. Anderson would’ve signed an offer sheet with the Hornets for $36 million over four years, and the Magic decided that was too steep a price to match. They Magic acquired backup center Gustavo Ayon in the sign-and-trade deal.

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski


Drew doesn't wanna sign an extension in Orlando. Can't blame him at all. That team is in free fall. They just gave away their 2nd best player Ryan Andersen. If I were Bynum I wouldn't wanna stay in Orlando either. In L.A. he'll be playing with two future hall of famers and have a legit at winning another title. He'll be the man anyway when Nash and Kobe retire in a couple of years.

[Ronito]

Sources: Magic, Nets and Cavaliers near completion of Dwight Howard trade. Deal will include 11 players, cash and multiple draft picks.

http://twitter.com/JRudolphSports/statu ... 2054381568

[Shaheen]

The Brooklyn Nets' persistent efforts to recruit the Cleveland Cavaliers as a third team to help them hammer home a trade for Dwight Howard are starting to pay off, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Nets and Magic are cautiously optimistic that the Cavaliers will help them facilitate a three-way trade that lands Howard in Brooklyn.

Don't get why the Magic do not want Brooks.

The Cavs should trade for Humphires and Brooks. Better to have Brooks then sign Humphries without Brooks.

Looks like the Magic are satisfied with the package though. All they need is for the Cavs to come on board.

[Jordan45822]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Sources: Magic, Nets and Cavaliers near completion of Dwight Howard trade. Deal will include 11 players, cash and multiple draft picks.

[tiderulz]

get some facts straight, Orlando avoided overpaying Ryan Anderson as a 3 pt shooting specialist at PF. They have a new GM and new FO and are creating their new strategy and path. The new GM came from SAS and OKC, two franchises that have been pretty rock solid the past 5 years or so for OKC, a decade or more for SAS.

[tiderulz]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Sources: Magic, Nets and Cavaliers near completion of Dwight Howard trade. Deal will include 11 players, cash and multiple draft picks.

Rudolph is Dwights mouthpiece, so anything he is saying, it is basically coming from Dwight. Jarod has no idea what the FO of the Magic are doing, he has no contacts inside there.