Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXXV Off-Season Edition)

[recko321]

Hope we don't get greedy with Houston and scare them away. Dwight and j rich are musts to go next duhon or q rich don't wanna scare them off with hedo.

[WeAreVenom]

Stick it to Dwight... ship him to Houston... don't give him what he wants... plus it's a better rebuilding package... no brainer here.

That's what I'm saying....

Even if we're looking to rebuild, HOU offer tops this catastrophe we're about to help facilitate.

[Def Swami]

Jameer/Wayns
Lamb/JJ
Parsons/White
BBD/Nicholson/Harper
Fran/D-Mo/O'Quinn

JJ and BBD will both be dealt for draft picks or better wing players.

Why would we deal them? I really like that team with BBD, JJ and Jameer showing the young guys how its done. That would be a really fun team. and I'd have JJ starting over Lamb. Cmon man

Such a log jam at the 4 still and I didn't include Earl Clark. JJ is an expiring deal at the deadline, and you got to think he'll be shopped.

Nevertheless. Those players are far better suited for a rebuild. And we're not even considering that sort of lottery pick.

[AshBlackstone]

Lopez averaged 1.5 BPG which is 0.7 BPG different than Dwight, or less than 2 points assuming the ball being block had a 100% shot of making it, which it doesn't, but I don't want to get into the math.

If you want to hate this trade because of Lopez, it'd make much more sense to point out that he has foot troubles and has questionable rebounding desires.

Obviously we're comparing apples to apples, but it's like a granny smith and a fuji. Dwight is defense first, Lopez is offense. Just like there was a solution for Howard's lack of offense (stretch 4, lots of 3s), there is a solution for Lopez's lack of rebounding desire (Kris Humphries was 5th in the NBA in rebounding last year and is a 10 rebound a game guy) and that solution is a defensive minded, rebounding 4.

If Henny thinks this is the best move, he must have a plan to put a team that utilitizes Lopez's strengths and minimizes his weaknesses. We've stacked up a lot of big, traditional PFs and Cs if that is any clue to what he's thinking.

Uh, you do know that there is more to defense than blocking shots, right? The idea that you're even comparing blocked shot numbers to show that the difference between the two defensively isn't that bad(and I know that's what you're implying)....is so absurd I don't even know where to begin. Howard's help defense, and defensive rotations are the best in the leauge by far. He is able to cover for the mistakes of the other 4 players on the floor, consistently.


I don't really know how to say this without sounding insulting, but if you're implying what I think you're implying ...I would have to seriously question your knowledge of the game.

You're so smart. You found out I was trying to say Lopez is better than Dwight. You got me man.

Not what I said at all. But it's clear that you implied that Lopez isn't that bad on defense, which is laughable.

[EasternMagic]

Houston has a TON of cap space right now.. if they are willing to do whatever it takes to get Dwight.. they could take on bad contracts.

[clevermelvin]

I'd be content with Parsons, 1 of the 3 Houston rookies, Donatas, and the TOR pick. Seems like a goddamn care package compared to the Nets offer

[woosah]

We are coming up on the last day before signings can be done. I expect Houston's offer to become known soon. If they are willing to do this without Dwight's assurance then I would be surprised if we don't take their deal. If they need the assurance, then we are all going to be on pins and needles tomorrow dealing with all the rumors and wondering if the Magic will really take this raw deal, or just hold off until signings take place, or until after they get a coach.

[77CSUN77]

Do it with Houston

[CourtsideTV]

I'd be content with Parsons, 1 of the 3 Houston rookies, Donatas, and the TOR pick. Seems like a goddamn care package compared to the Nets offer

exactly...parsons would be excited to play for his hometeam.

[clevermelvin]

Jameer/Wayns
Lamb/JJ
Parsons/White
BBD/Nicholson/Harper
Fran/D-Mo/O'Quinn

JJ and BBD will both be dealt for draft picks or better wing players.

Why would we deal them? I really like that team with BBD, JJ and Jameer showing the young guys how its done. That would be a really fun team. and I'd have JJ starting over Lamb. Cmon man

Such a log jam at the 4 still and I didn't include Earl Clark. JJ is an expiring deal at the deadline, and you got to think he'll be shopped.

Nevertheless. Those players are far better suited for a rebuild. And we're not even considering that sort of lottery pick.

Earl sorta sucks lets be honest lol. and Harper hasnt done anything either. I'd much rather keep BBD to have some leadership on the team IMO

[gomagic77]

Hey guys not sure if you have seen this site (Clutchcity.net) but it's a good message board for the Houston Rockets, pretty cool fans and they are more than willing on a Dwight deal.. Just thought I'd share.

[AshBlackstone]

I wish Houston good luck, but you know Dwight and his people will fight this to the death.

What power does he have? He's going to say he won't extend there? ...there's not much else he can do. Nothing would be more appeasing than Dwight getting screwed into something he doesn't want, and the magic getting young prospects.

You screw Dwight and no meaningful free agent will want to come here for the next few years. You have to play basketball politics. Agents won't recommend us as a destination if we don't adhere to the wishes of a star player.

I don't agree with this. I've thought heavily about this. We have always been a popular destination for free agents. At the end of the day, I think even the players realize that Orlando has been put in a bad situation by Howard.


You can't put your own franchise in a worse situation, and take a lesser deal than someone else is offering just because the disgruntled player doesn't like it.

If someone could name an example of team screwing themselves in free agency because they didn't "play ball" with a disgrutled player, I might be more inclined to agree.

We are an upper third destination spot in the NBA. Why? Because of the tax breaks our state offers. If we don't send Dwight to Brooklyn, no one will care by the time we're ready to pay a free agent big money. At the end of the day, they just want the money.


Cleveland is about to have some money available, so we'll see that they will have no issue attracting free agents. Bynum is already listing it as a place he wants to play...and everyone thought they'd never draw anyone again. I don't think this a legit concern, and more of a myth.

[clevermelvin]

Parsons would be the new JJ to the fans. Except with the ability to do inhumane dunks (for a white guy)

[MagicTownBaller]

Hey, is anyone listening to Jarrod Rudolph speak right now?

[Def Swami]

Earl sorta sucks lets be honest lol. and Harper hasnt done anything either. I'd much rather keep BBD to have some leadership on the team IMO

+1

[darthmerrick]

We take a Houston deal and run!

In addition because Fegan tried to threaten us with "I won't send any players your way", I say we boycott Dan Fegan and refuse to sign anybody he represents. There are plenty of players out there not represented by the dooche.

[rcklsscognition]

Not what I said at all. But it's clear that you implied that Lopez isn't that bad on defense, which is laughable.

It's actually the opposite. I said that Dwight is a defensive center and Lopez is an offensive one that requires the Magic to completely change their philosophy and style of play away from a stretch 4 (added offense to a non-offensive C) to a traditional rebounder/defender 4 (added to account for lack of rebounding and defense at the C).

[fendilim]

I really hate to say this but does anyone hold out hope that Brook's rebuonding numbers could be a lot like Yao Ming? His rpg wasnt really that impressive when he started in the league, turned out to be pretty solid for a big. And i think the fact that he shoots a lot puts him in a bad position to rebound. What is Brook's defensive rebounding per game? And how does it rank up against the top 10 rebounding leaders?

[clevermelvin]

im hyping myself up way too much to the HOU deal... only to be let down with BrookSwag Lopez coming over

[ehmjay1]

I wish Houston good luck, but you know Dwight and his people will fight this to the death.

What power does he have? He's going to say he won't extend there? ...there's not much else he can do. Nothing would be more appeasing than Dwight getting screwed into something he doesn't want, and the magic getting young prospects.

You screw Dwight and no meaningful free agent will want to come here for the next few years. You have to play basketball politics. Agents won't recommend us as a destination if we don't adhere to the wishes of a star player.

Even if that were the case, trading him to BK makes us the laughing stock of the league. How many teams will want to trade with a team that helped construct the next "super team".

Also, while I agree that we will have a problem with Fegan's clients, I don't see it being a problem with other agents. At the end of the day money talks.