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

[RickB-Orlando]

My point still stands, I'd prefer a proven 20/10 NBA center to a projected European player.

If it's a 20/10 center (i think Bynum is capable of more than 20/10) without injury issues i would agree, but Bynum is a major risk ala Grant Hill. Imagine if we re-sign him to a 5 years deal at MAX and he injuries in 1st season? We would have no picks, no young players and no capspace.

Some risk, definitely. I just feel there is less risk than through the draft, given his play last year.

This time last year I feared Bynum, but after playing every game in a compressed season, I prefer that risk to picks and unproven players.

But I get your argument, I just lean the other way on this one.

[YosemiteSam]

and the safety net...

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Lakers, however, waiting to pounce if Brooklyn trade really falls apart. But all sings point to Magic accommodating Howard's BK request

Why? No seriously, why? No, no really, why? Why would we accomodate Howard's BK request?

Because he wished upon a star? Or maybe he's going to hold his breath until he gets what he wants.

[ADRajX]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Magic and Nets trying to simplify the deal. Still hopeful that deal can be completed. Still focused on dealing Howard to Brooklyn, for now
"90%"

There's no way to "simplify" the deal. The Magic would need to take a lot of salary-cap crap from the Nets or take Humphries. There's no way to simplify it beyond that, and there's no "trying" to figure out the Humphries part. The Magic either take him or not.

Which is why I think this is Rob just talking to the Nets to keep Fegan happy.

No way the Magic take back Humphries and Lopez on long-term deals.

Humoring the Nets

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrIicDOCxxA[/youtube]

[ADRajX]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports

The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

[Def Swami]

There's no way to "simplify" the deal. The Magic would need to take a lot of salary-cap crap from the Nets or take Humphries. There's no way to simplify it beyond that, and there's no "trying" to figure out the Humphries part. The Magic either take him or not.

Which is why I think this is Rob just talking to the Nets to keep Fegan happy.

No way the Magic take back Humphries and Lopez on long-term deals.

Humoring the Nets

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrIicDOCxxA[/youtube]

[Def Swami]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

[YosemiteSam]

Your GM wants picks, your GM is making it clear you're going to rebuild, Bynum DOES NOT want to re-sign with the Magic.

Why do people keep saying this? Did I miss something? How does "Bynum interested in Cleveland and Dallas if a free agent" morph into people saying "Bynum does not want to sign with the Magic"?

Let me guess, SOURCES

Bynum is reluctant to make a long-term commitment to Orlando, Wojnarowski notes.

That was directly related to the report that the Magic wanted Bynum to commit to signing an extension as a condition to a Howard trade. Of course he'd prefer to wait to sign as he'll make more as a free agent if he re-ups with the Magic. Somehow that is now that he doesn't want to sign with the Magic at all, ever.

Ugh, message boards

[Magic#1]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports

The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

The guy is so biased. Like others have said, he gets his info from Dwight's people. He's not a balanced reporter. I'd be fine with it but he gets do defensive that it's just unprofessional.

[thelead]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports

The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

I don't buy it. We're trying to make Dwight happy instead of doing what's best for the franchise?

[arkknight1988]

Sam Amick ‏@sam_amick
With four-team Dwight Howard deal no longer in play, source says Houston is calling teams with cap space looking to dump more salary. The Rockets are still pushing hard to put the best package in front of Orlando, though @EricPincus is reporting the Rockets' target may be the Lakers' Andrew Bynum. Per Pincus, the Magic, Rockets and Lakers have had preliminary talks about a deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, Bynum to Houston and picks/prospects/cap relief to Orlando

THIS is what i want!

[OOO]

White,Ebanks, and Donatas coming here with picks would make me extremely happy.

[Driguez]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

This guy is a joke. ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.... Really? This has Howards "ppl all over it"

[GameOver25]

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
The rumored Houston, Lakers, Orlando proposal is very real. But that deal will be priority ONLY after talks with Brooklyn are dead.

Dude is so full of it, what a clown.

[arkknight1988]

Sam Amick
Meanwhile, there is still optimism in the Nets camp that a two-team Dwight Howard deal can be done with Orlando. The main reason? As many as five first-round picks are in play that would wind up going to the Magic. They'd obviously be late first-rounders, but Orlando GM Rob Hennigan has prioritized picks above all else in this process.

Lame.

HAHA #byebrooklyn go rot with joe johnson

[BelgianMagic]

Even the Nets' beat writer is reporting the LAL/HOU talks

Stefan Bondy ‏@NYDNInterNets
Source confirms talks of 3-way blockbuster between Rockets, Lakers and Magic.

[Def Swami]

Stefan Bondy ‏@NYDNInterNets
Source confirms talks of 3-way blockbuster between Rockets, Lakers and Magic.

[rcklsscognition]

wtf is up with BKN priority? That is just bull. As many of have said, if Henny pulls this deal with the Nets, it's because there were no other offers. Or perhaps someone in the Magic FO, Martins, Otis, or Devos, made an agreement with Dwight at the ETO signing. If said happened, then the Nets didn't hear about it or believe it, they traded away their picks and now the Magic are reneging on the deal.

[ADRajX]

I just want the cap relief, picks, and young athletes

We'll tank... our guys will play with passion this season (Heart n Hustle-esque)

But we'll be able to rebuild through FA and the draft properly... it's what we have to do... I'll take the Lakers, Rockets, and Magic deal.

[PeePee la Fritz]

Even the Nets' beat writer is reporting the LAL/HOU talks

Stefan Bondy ‏@NYDNInterNets
Source confirms talks of 3-way blockbuster between Rockets, Lakers and Magic.

[GameOver25]

Henny built up enough steam with the BK rumors, that it pretty much was a catalyst for the LA-Hou-Orl move. We're seeing the makings of it now....