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

[OrlandoMajinBuu]

LOL @ Y'all smartass.

[SolidSnake008]

From Mike Bianchi's column from this morning. I thought it was an interesting read. No news, just his opinion.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/201 ... ex-martins

"If Dwight Howard changed his mind again and decided to sign a long-term extension in Orlando, Magic fans would refuse to forgive him and wouldn't welcome him back with open arms."

Puh-leeze

This humongous whopper actually emanated from the mouths and Twitter accounts of Magic fans earlier this week when ESPN reported that new general manager Rob Hennigan spoke with Dwight and tried to convince him to reconsider his trade request and sign long-term with the Magic.

"We would be no better than an abused spouse who never wants to press charges," tweeted one fan.

"Too much damage has been done," tweeted another.

"Why on earth would you even want him at this point?" said another.

Um, maybe because he's the best big man on the planet by a million miles?

Don't kid yourself, Magic fans. You are like the guy who has been dumped by the woman he loves. You have gone through denial, depression and anger. But guess what? If she ever changes her mind and wants to come back, you know what you'll say? "I love you, Baby! Welcome home!!!"

And it's not just Magic fans; it's the Magic front office, too. If the ESPN report is accurate about Hennigan and CEO Alex Martins calling Dwight about getting back together, isn't this essentially Magic management saying to Dwight, "Hey, Big Fella, we can work it out."

Granted, it seems almost impossible at this point that Dwight would consider a Magic reconciliation, but, then again, it seemed almost impossible in March that he would waive his right to free agency and "opt-in" for another year. The fact is Dwight has sold Central Florida more flip-flops than Ron Jon Surf Shop.

And if he were thinking clearly and not getting bad advice, he would change his mind one last time and come back to Orlando where he belongs; where he will be loved like he can never be loved anywhere else. It would be the best thing for him — personally, professionally and financially.

Believe me, it wouldn't take much to make Dwight a hero again in Orlando. All that would have to happen is the Magic calling a huge news conference downtown with balloons and dignitaries and Mayor Buddy Dyer there to present Dwight with the key to the city.

Oh god, everything about that article made my head hurt. Sayings like "Burned too many bridges" and "You made your bed now lie in it" exist for instances like this. Neither Magic fans or the Magic F/O asked for this. This is all 100% on Dwight. We never wanted Dwight to leave, but in any relationship if the other says "I want to move on to better things", then you chunk deuce and tell'em get their **** out before the end of the day or it ends up in the dumpster, on fire.

This idiot acts like we're the ones who rejected Dwight to begin with. Dwight brought all of this drama and hatred upon himself. Like a teenage girl, he does not know what he wants, but he's spat on and turned his back on all of the people who supported him by wanting out. Good riddance. The Magic's F/O is doing US a disservice by trying to keep Dwight here. Nobody f****** wants him here anymore after this. We want a clear start, and if it means shipping him out for some cap relief and draft picks, then so be it.

The sooner Dwight is out of Orlando, the sooner we can move on. This is not like Shaq, it's not even close. With Shaq we thought we had a chance, with Dwight he's let us know there's no chance and stomped his feet like a toddler with a tantrum at Wal Mart because he can't get something he wants. Move on Orlando, I just wish every fan expressed this to the Magic front office.

[Deezy]

And JRich at $5.8M is not a bad contract in today's game.

Eight years on this site and you still don't know a thing about basketball.

Go research guys like Walton, Udrih, Salmons, Childress, Afflalo, MWP, Outlaw, Miller, Garcia, Harrington, etc. Then we'll talk.

[AshBlackstone]

Awesome, Knicks not matching Lin is going to make a possible deal with Houston go up in smoke. Or a good deal anyway.

[InFlames]

Awesome, Knicks not matching Lin is going to make a possible deal with Houston go up in smoke. Or a good deal anyway.

Why is that? Have you seen how far under the cap Houston is, it doesn't even matter.

[RickB-Orlando]

Im going to stretch it , but I think it may come to a point where teams won't want to deal with the Orlando Magic period. They are going to get fed up with Orlando being greedy.

This will never happen. Look at the Lakers, always making trades that benefit them, often screwing their trading partners on the deal, and yet they continue to get and make deals. It's a business. The Dwight saga is just a part of it.

Teams will deal with you if they think they gain something from the transaction - it's that simple.

Don't get me wrong I see and like how Rob is looking for the best deal, but he has to realize that Dwight Howard's value is not as high as it was last season (Before Injury and Brooklyn Complications)

1st. It was I Want a trade. no specific destination although brooklyn was included as well as Dallas or Lakers
2nd It was only brooklyn and dallas
3rd It was because he wanted out and he and the FO was no longer seeing eye to eye
4th It was because he wanted a bigger market
5th He changed his mind. ( i Wonder why to this day)

Then now he wants a trade again.

As high as last year? Maybe not, but don't kid yourself, the best center in the NBA still has plenty of trade value.

Now tell me, besides Houston , as we know, who else would want to deal with him? How much is he truly worth with the back injury and drama?
Is he worth 4 or 5 players or 1 and 2 players now due to his uncertainty..if that makes sense.

LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Golden State, Cleveland, Boston, Atlanta, Brooklyn, OKC, Dallas. At least. You can also add "Any team that thinks they can compete for the championship but are one big man away."

The list is probably even longer, but those are the teams that pop out to me right off the top.

[MAGICian619]

Knicks will match for Lin. Guarantee it.

[Michael Lucky]

where was it shown that the Clippers, GS, Boston, OKC, and Dallas are willing to deal for him at this moment? hmm And no i don't believe the report that OKC was offering both Harden and Ibaka or that deal would have long been completed.

[RickB-Orlando]

Stephen A is fun at times.

I'd love to know when the fun part airs, because in general he just alternates between leaving me completely ticked off and leaving me in absolute awe at the stupidity.

Does he do the fun part after the other two parts, and I just can't bear to watch that long?

[Driguez]

Knicks will match for Lin. Guarantee it.

If they trade for Felton it would make zero sense.

[TheXFactor]

Stephen A. Smith did a wonderful job embarrassing himself on SportsCenter this morning and into the early afternoon.

I agree. Adam. That was disgusting. Smith is a joke.

[RickB-Orlando]

where was it shown that the Clippers, GS, Boston, OKC, and Dallas are willing to deal for him at this moment? hmm And no i don't believe the report that OKC was offering both Harden and Ibaka or that deal would have long been completed.

It doesn't matter if it's "at this moment" or not, these are all teams that have expressed interest. I'm not referring to specific trades because, frankly, no one on this board (or any other) really knows what offers have been made.

I'm simply pointing out that there are more trading partners out there, any team that thinks they are
->THIS CLOSE <- to winning it all has to consider trading for him, even though they risk losing him as a UFA.

Everyone talks about how badly he hurt our negotiating position because he released the "only resign with Brooklyn" line. But guess what, Brooklyn is behind him now, because they're not a legitimate trading partner any more, and they certainly can't sign him next year.

So the risk is reduced somewhat by a team that is on the cusp of a finals run. All of those named teams - except for Cleveland and Houston - are potential trading partners. Just because we haven't heard about it from "sources" doesn't mean they have no interest.

[MAGICian619]

Knicks will match for Lin. Guarantee it.

If they trade for Felton it would make zero sense.

They are pissed at Houston for the lopsided deal, going to use all of 3 days and match at last minute.

Felton is a back up plan and can be eventually traded. Also last I checked, it's not that weird to have 3 point guards on the roster.

[arsenal6106]

Who would've thought back in Feb. that Jeremy Lin would be playing a crucial role in the Dwight saga?

[Def Swami]

So if all the deals offered for D12 are worse than "rolling the dice", what difference does it make in how long we wait to trade Dwight?

I'm not understanding this notion that we have to deal him ASAP. If all the deals blow, then keep him. More teams will come to the table before the trade deadline. He can't go to BRK, meaning every other teams' chances of retaining D12 has increased. Patience is the way to go. No need to make a deal for the sake of making one.

[woosah]

Not going to quote all of his posts but totally agree w/RickB. Teams will always deal with Orlando if there is a need, and we have assets. Rob establishing himself as someone who will look for fair compensation is only good for later if you asked me. RickB's example about the Lakers is good. When a deal is done, they have a rep for getting an advantage. The market is part of it, but i think that if you negotiate at least a fair deal with the Lakers then you have won. Well maybe our rep in the past is that we are easy and don't ask for much or that we take crappy deals. Well, Rob doing things differently can be the start of culture change and showing teams that those days are done and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. If he goes along with a crappy deal for the rush of ending the "bad atmosphere" with D12 then other FO's will only think the same thing they have always thought, which is that they can get over on our front office.

[Def Swami]

Knicks will match for Lin. Guarantee it.

If they trade for Felton it would make zero sense.

Which is why the Knicks front office will do it.

[InFlames]

Who would've thought back in Feb. that Jeremy Lin would be playing a crucial role in the Dwight saga?

He's really not though.

[arsenal6106]

Looks like I woke up just in time.

@arsenal6106:
Here is the updated stuff. Update the OP whenever you're free. Thanks again .... Well that was the exciting part of my morning, annnnd off to my classes I go.

Updated. Thanks!

[MagicTime1]

At this point if we dont make the deal with Houston, I will be highly dissapointed. This is my absolute ideal situation for Orlando, and if it was to happen.. Our future would be so bright especially being able to be big time players in next summers free agency

Houston Trades: Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin, Terrance Jones, Parsons, Tony Douglas and 3 1st Rounders
Houston Receives: Dwight Howard, J Rich, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Duhon

Orlando Trades: Dwight Howard, J Rich, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Duhon
Orlando Receives: Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin, Terrance Jones, Parsons, Tony Douglas, 3 1st Rounders

Orlando Lineup:
PG: Jameer Nelson / Tony Douglas
SG: JJ Redick / Jeremy Lamb
SF: Kevin Martin/ Parsons / Earl Clark
PF: Glen Davis / Nicholson / Terrance Jones
C: Gustavo Ayon / Kyle O'Quinn


Houston Lineup:
PG: Jeremy Lin? / Duhon
SG: J-Rich / Courtney Lee
SF: Hedo Turk / Royce White/ Forbes
PF: Patterson / Morris
C: D12 / Asik? / Donatas