Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Interested In Clippers?

[ClipperDomination]

Via Chris Broussard's twitter:

Chris Paul's first choice is to play for the Knicks, sources say. He's willing to wait & sign w/NYK as free agent next summer.

CP3 would also consider signing extension w/LA Clippers. But Clips' 1st choice is Dwight Howard, sources say....

Clippers will do whatever it takes - outside of trading Blake Griffin - to get Dwight, sources say.

Interesting, to say the least!

[mkwest]

The question is does Dwight want to be here. I'd prefer Dwight over anybody, but would love to have Paul.

I think that we have a good shot at one of these 2 or Williams as long as 2 of them (Dwight & Deron) don't team up. If they are all on separate teams come July 8th, then I truly think that one of them will be a Clipper.

RealGM is now reporting that Dwight won't be interested in playing here.

[RiversideClips]

What do we have to give up to get Paul in a Trade? Will NOLA take Kaman & Warren? NOLA has to know that they are not going to get a darn thing if they let Paul walk, so where does that leave the NBA Decision Makers since the NBA owns the team.
I think we resign DJ, let Howard go next year then concentrate on a PG & a #3, Prince may want to join Clipper Nation for $5 mill a season?

[HeartSouloma]

You guys got better assets than the Lakers, to trade for cp3. I would love to see cp3 in a clippers uni that would be cool. All that alley-oops to Blake, just beastly!

[thanumba2clippersfan]

For Chris Paul I say only Blake, EJ, and DJ are off limits. I'm fine to give the Hornets anyone else for CP3.

[madmaxmedia]

I would say only Blake and maybe DJ are off-limits. I like EJ, but 2 guards are a replaceable position unlike center (which is why I prefer to keep DJ even if he's not as good).

[Det the Threat]

I would say only Blake and maybe DJ are off-limits. I like EJ, but 2 guards are a replaceable position unlike center (which is why I prefer to keep DJ even if he's not as good).

And I'm greedy as hell as I wouldn't give up Blake or EJ and DJ only if it meant Howard coming to the Clippers.

Those guys are all on expiring contracts and the cap room + talent(Aminu, Bledsoe) + Minny pick are pretty much more then anyone else(maybe outside of OKC, if they'd deal Westbrook) could offer.

Of course one could say that Bynum or Noah are better players, but we're talking about teams then going to rebuild and they surely don't need guys with long term deals that will make them just good enough to not land a top 3 pick.

BTW: I'm also a bit sceptical about Howard fitting with Griffin, cause Blake still hasn't shown that he's got a reliable mid range jumper, which is a must while playing next to Howard.

[SO_MONEY]

Outside prospective Minnesota fan:

I think you are going to give up one of Gordon or Jordan plus Bledsoe and Aminu and the Minnesota Pick for Howard and take out one or both of Bledsoe and Aminu for Paul.

Here is where I see things as tricky...If it comes down to Paul I don't know how much interest NO will have in players who need to be extended right away. A new ownership group would likely prefer several picks, expiring contracts and rookie deals.

I could see Gordon or Jordan being shipped to a third team for expiring contracts and picks while the Clippers and that third team take on some long-term salary.

That is just me, but I think something can be done and you should have an entertaining team however it shakes out.

[Bobbcats]

I think it all depends on how healthy you think CP is, and how relevant you think his health is on a better team. More than anything, the most promising thing is he was barely running through the first few months of the season and still was at or near the top of PG's throughout. Seeing him play 80 games, peak in the playoffs, and even dunking during the summer, I think he's on his way to a second peak and will be very effective well beyond the next contract he will sign.

From the Hornets side it's hard to gauge how much it would take. On the one hand I think they would definitely want Gordon, but I don't know if any other teams CP would play for are willing to give a better offer. If they are going to lose CP they are going to want complete rebuild mode and young guys to keep fans interested so Aminu/Bledsoe/pick+Williams might be better than losing CP for nothing.

If I were the Clippers GM and i HAD to give up Gordon to get Paul, I would definitely pull the trigger. That's partly because I'm optimistic on his health, and partly because DJ and Griffin are the perfect frontcourt to bring out the best in CP. More than any other PG, he can get big men involved in the halfcourt, whether it's the back to the basket type, shooting type, or scrappy athletic ones. West had spent two years doing nothing when CP was drafted and people insisted Okafor, Chandler, and Gray had no hands at all when they were traded to the Hornets, but they had no trouble on his entry passes. Landry looked like West 2.0 out there as have a host of other backup PF's for short periods when West is injured.

[ComboGuardCity]

Uhh what use is Jordan if Dwight is a Clipper? Jordan, Mo Williams, 2 first rounders.

Bledsoe
Gordon
Aminu (Any 3 point shooting Defensive stopper really)
Blake
D12

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Your right we don't need Jordan if we are getting Howard. But I heard he wasn't interested in the Clippers, so when I said we shouldn't trade him that would be in a Chris Paul deal.

[ClipperDomination]

I would give up EJ to get an extended top PG in the game. Paul makes everyone around him better.

[Leor_77]

I would give up EJ to get an extended top PG in the game. Paul makes everyone around him better.

I definitely agree here, although I am still slightly concerned over CP3's health. You have to look at it from NOLA's perspective, as well. They are going to want to get something in return, obviously. Can you think of ANY other team (especially New York) who would be willing to give up a piece as good and as promising as Eric Gordon. Not even close. This aside, I'm a huge EJ fan - Would be tough to give him up!

[mkwest]

I seriously hope that we can keep Gordon. If we're able to somehow get both of Paul and Howard, then I don't mind as much. In a deal for Howard, they'll likely be seeking DJ, EJ, Minny pick and cap relief. I know that most teams are going to be throwing out all kinds of offers to the Hornets and the Magic, but I honestly feel that they wouldn't be giving up more than us. It's the sad thing about EJ being as underrated as he is. If Gordon is traded to New Orleans, then they theoretically could end up with him, 2 lottery picks (Minny & their own) and cap room in the coming years. That's more than a decent return for a player that was probable to walk on his own anyway.

I am glad that we're in the mix and everything, but I hope that Olshey really plays this wisely and gets us the best deal possible (if a deal is made).

[QRich3]

I am glad that we're in the mix and everything, but I hope that Olshey really plays this wisely and gets us the best deal possible (if a deal is made).

Yeah, likewise. I am not too confident on Oshley's abilities though :-/

I mean it's not like we suddenly need to win now, we've been waiting for years (decades) for an opportunity to build a good team, and now that we're finally in good pace, suddenly we need to trade all our young players and get into now-or-never mode?

To be honest, I think Blake will still take a couple years to become a reliable well rounded player, both on deffense and offense, Jordan still has to develop into something more than a dunking/ shot blocking one dimensional player, and both Aminu and Bledsoe will still spend some time struggling to be starters on this league. By the time they all get there (if) EJ will probably be a more important player in the league than Chris Paul and we'll be regretting we ever traded him...

Or maybe I am just fond of our guys and don't wanna see them go, but I still see no sense in all this.

[mkwest]

The financial ramifications of trades involving Dwight Howard and Chris Paul

Regarding Dwight Howard and Chris Paul and their respective trade desires, it is worth explaining in dollars and sense why they’d prefer to be dealt sooner rather than later.

In order for them to get the most possible money, they’ll need to finagle a way into landing in their desired destinations prior to the trade deadline.

And despite all the hand-wringing over the owners’ capitulation in negotiations over the so-called Carmelo Anthony rule, neither of those guys is likely to do an extend-and-trade.

So, to summarize, here are the options and the financial implications for each player.

Howard:

_ Plays the entire season in Orlando, opts out and ends up elsewhere (either by signing as a free agent or through a sign-and-trade): $80.5 million for 4 years.

_ Gets traded in February, opts out, then re-signs with the team that acquired him: $110.8 million for 5 years.

Paul:

_ Plays the entire season in New Orleans, opts out and ends up elsewhere (either by signing as a free agent or through a sign-and-trade): $75.8 million for 4 years.

_ Gets traded in February, opts out, then re-signs with the team that acquired him: $100.2 million for 5 years.

Do the math, add up the differences, and there are 55 million reasons why both those guys might want to be wearing different uniforms by the time March 1 rolls around.

Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Hoops

[mkwest]

Source: Chris Paul still deciding move

Chris Paul may love the idea of playing with his good friend, Carmelo Anthony, in New York, but a source familiar with Paul's thinking said the New Orleans Hornets point guard knows being dealt to the Knicks is not a realistic possibility. .... If Paul leaves the Hornets, the source said, he would want the team to be content with the assets it receives in return.

"He has not asked for a trade to the Knicks because he knows the Knicks don't have anything to offer," the source said. "He wouldn't insult the Hornets by doing that."

The source did not confirm or deny reports that a representative for Paul has told the Hornets their point guard wants to be traded to the Knicks, but league sources say team general manager Dell Demps will not take any action until he hears directly from Paul regarding his intentions. The first day Demps could be allowed to talk to Paul is Dec. 9, when commissioner David Stern hopes to open training camps and fully lift the league's labor lockout.

Ric Bucher, ESPN New York

[Forte IV]

Honestly, I feel that if we wait until the trade deadline, and if we AND the wolves are looking like we aren't making the playoffs, I feel the Hornets would accept two draft picks. Yes I know the Celtics have our pick, but thats only if we make the playoffs. A deal of Jordan, Aminu, Bledsoe, Kaman(cap), and two 1sts would be ten times better then what the hornets could get for anyone. Hey, even one first would be ten times better.

[mkwest]

Honestly, I feel that if we wait until the trade deadline, and if we AND the wolves are looking like we aren't making the playoffs, I feel the Hornets would accept two draft picks. Yes I know the Celtics have our pick, but thats only if we make the playoffs. A deal of Jordan, Aminu, Bledsoe, Kaman(cap), and two 1sts would be ten times better then what the hornets could get for anyone. Hey, even one first would be ten times better.

The problem with that is that we'd have 2 consecutive future seasons without a 1st round pick. We would be giving up our 2012 pick New Orleans and our 2013 to Boston. We would need to have a 1st round pick in either of those years to make that happen. Also, in the event that we could give up 2 lottery picks, including Jordan would be a bit much.

[Ranma]

Arash Markazi, ESPN LA (12/2/11)

Dwight Howard hasn't been traded yet but all indications are that the Orlando Magic center will be dealt at some point before the trade deadline and if his final destination ends up being anywhere other than Los Angeles, something went wrong. Somebody somewhere dropped the ball and this city and its future favorite son will suffer for it.

Howard belongs in Los Angeles. He's done everything but hop in a convertible and cruise down Sunset Blvd. singing Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." when hinting about his future plans and his refusal to sign a contract extension with the Magic.
...

The Lakers and Clippers should make this real easy for Magic general manager Otis Smith, who knows he will lose Howard after this season. They should send him a copy of their rosters with the names of Bryant and Pau Gasol crossed out for the Lakers and Griffin crossed out for the Clippers and ask him to pick two or three players. Both teams should also be willing to throw in a couple of drafts picks as well to sweeten the deal.

For the Lakers, this could mean a package of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom and for the Clippers it could mean a package of Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan.

This may seem like steep price to anyone who doesn't understand the magnitude of this moment for both franchises, but either trade is well worth it.

With all due respect to the tandem of Bynum and Odom or trio of Kaman, Gordon and Jordan, neither group would change the landscape of the league and Los Angeles sports as much as Howard would. He is the single most dominant force the league has seen since Shaquille O'Neal in his prime. He is the kind of player you rebuild your team around and reshuffle your roster for if you have the chance to get him.

Dwight Howard in L.A.? It just might fly

Obviously, the Lakers have the inside track in the D12 sweepstakes if winning is truly what Dwight Howard wants in addition to the climate. The Magic are just handcuffed by bad contracts, which ironically enough, were acquired in vain to surround him with a winner in order to convince him to stay long-term. Even with the amnesty option, Orlando just doesn't have the resources to inspire hope for Howard.

The Nets will undoubtedly throw everything they have outside of Deron Williams in their trade proposal on the chance that they can convince both D-Will an D-How to sign long-term as the marquee players for their new arena. The Knicks can make a serious offer by offering either Amar'e Stoudemire or Carmelo Anthony in upgrading from either star player to the league's premier big man, but I think the Nets offer the more compelling package to Orlando since a deal with Brooks Lopez, two first-round picks, and unloading Turkoglu's contract--as well as amnestying Arenas--affords the team a viable chance at rebuilding immediately whereas a deal for what is sure to be a disgruntled star player coming from the Big Apple would still leave the Magic in the same blackhole situation they have been in but with a less affable and more discontent star player at its core.

While I can't really fault, Markazi's logic in including Gordon in his proposed package, it doesn't make sense to me for the Clippers to offer such a package given that Howard is unlikely to agree to an extend-and-trade for only a 1-year extension through 2013-14 rather than wait the 6 months to either exercise his opt-out clause to become an unrestricted free agent or sign an extension to his current deal for 3 more years through 2015-16 at higher raises after this upcoming season.

Why risk losing either Gordon or even the 2012 Minnesota pick--nevermind both--for a guy who can opt out after this upcoming season and can't sign the most advantageous extension (for him, anyway) until six months afterwards, especially for someone who reportedly isn't interested in us? It makes sense for the Nets to do it because they really don't have any other choice. The Lakers--being his presumed favorite--have minimal risk of him leaving, so they obviously have to pull the trigger. The Knicks have reason to pause given the aforementioned uncertainty, but the mentality over there is that they think everyone loves to play at Mecca and that they can and will convince anyone to sign long-term once they are on the roster especially given the advantage of Bird Rights. The Clippers don't have such a reputation.

Having said all that and acknowledging my fan-bias, the Clippers should have a decent shot at securing the NBA's reigning Superman even without including Gordon. The Minnesota pick is certainly more valuable right now than both the Nets' picks combined. Jordan is the more exciting center prospect with more upside than Lopez, however, DJ will be paid more than Lopez and likey overpaid at that since I believe he will not develop as well without his good buddy Blake Griffin. Plus, there is also the difficulty of having him sign off on an extend-and-trade given that he would be more limited in years and annual raises along with his actual preference of where to play. Kaman should be able to net something useful as a trade chip in a three-way possibility, especially after teams miss out on FA centers. The organization even has the option of amnestying Hiyadet Turkoglu's $34.2 million contract commitment should they still be in the hunt for CP3 afterwards, though I (and everyone else) have a hard time envisioning Sterling eating that much money especially since there is a player option for the third year of that contract.

Personally, I would rather add Chris Paul to our lineup assuming we will secure long-term commitments form both DJ & EJ, but the Clippers should be able to make a good pitch to Howard given the roster, player facilities, and climate if things fall through with the Lakers. I, like mkwest, hope that Olshey doesn't pay more than he has to in his pursuit of DH but that is unlikely given the reports of "doing whatever it takes" outside of trading Blake Griffin.