Dwight Howard Landing Spots
It appears I can't go two weeks without talking about Dwight Howard. If you are wondering what he's been up to since his surgery I'm guessing he's doing the same exact thing were all doing, watching the Magic lose to the Pacers. If the Magic somehow pull off the upset I don't think they will make it pass the conference semifinals without their Superman. Dwight will be missing the summer Olympic games but he hopes to be 100% healthy come next season. If he is healthy it's my guess he won't be playing for the Orlando Magic. Throughout the entire season he had rips with the Orlando management and coach Stan Van Gundy. Unless every report we heard was false, I think it's pretty safe to assume D12 doesn't want to be in Orlando anymore. The only real question is where does Dwight want to take his talents?
Possible Landing Spots:
New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
There was a lot of speculation that Howard wanted to go play for Jay Z, in Brooklyn, for the new look Nets. The Nets already have a solid foundation with Deron Williams, Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks. Last season the Nets finished 22-44 good enough for last place in the Atlantic Division. The Nets ownership made it clear they want to bring in talent when they sold the house on Deron Williams midway through the 2011 season. Now they must add another piece around him in order to compete in the East. This move would satisfy D12's ego by playing in a big city and playing along side a superstar who wants to pass him the ball (9.2 assists per game for his career) unlike the way his Magic teammates did (only two players averaged over 3 assists per game in 2012). In order for this move to happen I think the Magic will want a handful of useful assets in return. This may include: Brook Lopez (24 years old), Sheldon Williams (28 years old), Jordan Farmar (former Laker, 25 years old), and possibly Anthony Morrow (26 years old). All of those players, except Morrow, were former first round selections. I also would expect Orlando to receive some combination of draft picks or cash considerations.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers tried to acquire Dwight Howard this past season but the deal was shut down by league Commissioner David Stern. The Lakers also tried to grab All Star point guard Chris Paul but he ended up going to the city rival Clippers. If this deal goes through it may be the best option for the Magic as they would most certainly receive young Andrew Bynum in return. As a Laker fan I don't want this move to happen just because I think the chemistry that Kobe, Pau and the rest of the Lakers have with Bynum is at its peak and I don't want to see that ruined. If Laker management "pulls the trigger" on this move (cut to a picture of Gilbert Arenas staring at me) then it would be Show Time all over again with Kobe and crew. In my opinion the Lakers should focus more on acquiring a new swing man such as Gerald Wallace from the Nets or Corey Brewer from the Nuggets to replace the mentally unstable artist formerly known as Ron Artest.
New York Knicks
A very underrated option on the list of teams Howard has to choose from would be the New York Knicks. As you will see, every team on this list is located in a big city. In order to acquire Howard I think the Knicks would have to send Tyson Chandler (Defensive POY) and part-time glass punching extraordinaire Amare Stoudemire to the Magic. If this happens I think both teams would be considered winners in the trade. The Magic would receive two big men that can play above average defense and Amare, when he's not punching glass, can create scoring opportunities allowing the team to not have to rely on the 3 point shot as much. This would take pressure off former All Star point guard Jameer Nelson and future star swing man Ryan Anderson. The Knicks would gain the down low scoring machine they didn't get with Stoudemire. Howard would work well with Carmelo because he would feed off his mid range game. With Anthony taking the 15 footers it will force the big men from under the basket to come out and guard him leaving D12 open to clean things up. Howard would also provide the shot blocking skills the Knicks lack. Last season the Knicks were tied for 26th in the league averaging 4.2 blocks per game. Howard by himself averaged 2.1 blocks per game. The Knicks would fill in the rest of their starting five with Jeremy Linn, Jared Jeffries, and Landry Fields. Their bench would most likely include: Baron Davis, J.R. Smith, Steve Novak and Josh Harrellson. If this move goes through I will have New York finishing in the top 3 in the Eastern conference next season.
Dallas Mavericks
It was reported last season that Dwight would not be opposed to playing for the Mavericks. Of all the possible landing spots I think that Howard would receive the most money here as Maverick's owner Mark Cuban is not shy on spending cash. The Mavericks are still a solid team that looks to contend for years to come. The Mavericks don't have a lot of interesting pieces to send to Orlando besides Brendan Haywood but if Cuban is involved I'm sure he will offer a lot of cash considerations and draft picks. This move would help out Dallas a lot more than it would the Magic.
Los Angeles Clippers
Here's a move that may surprise you. The Clippers are finally in a situation where they can have sustainable success so why not build on that? Can you imagine another "Big 3" in LA of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard (Lakers: Kobe, Gasol and Bynum). The Clippers, unlike the Mavericks, have a lot to offer Orlando. Young big man DeAndre Jordan (23 years old), small forward Nick Young (26 years old) and guard Randy Foye (28 years old) are all possible trade pieces the Clippers can offer. All of these guys were top 40 draft selections when they entered the league. I would assume that the Magic would also want a few draft picks and I think the Clippers would have no issue ponying up the picks to bring in a premier center. The Clippers can compete without Dwight Howard but I don't think they can win a championship with their current roster unless they make one more major move.
Phoenix Suns
I want to discuss one more under the radar team with the Phoenix Suns. If the Suns resign Nash they should try to bring in a big man he can work with (no offense to Gortat but Howard is better, that's why the Magic let you go in the first place). If D12 goes to the Suns I think the Magic can haul in some talent with Marcin Gortat (already knows the Magic's offense), high flying Shannon Brown (former Laker bench star), Robin Lopez (young big man who offers solid bench production) and maybe veteran sharp shooter Michael Redd. This trade may not make the Suns a favorite in the Western conference but they would be in much better position to make a playoff run next season as Steve Nash's career is on its last legs (no pun intended).
Dwight may choose to go to any of these places or somewhere else. All I know is that I will be shocked if he decides to stay in Orlando. If he does stay in Orlando it would more than likely mean the firing of coach Stan Van Gundy. For my gut call I will put the above choices in the order I think is most likely to happen starting with:
1. New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
2. New York Knicks
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Somewhere Else
If you want to talk more about D12 hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
It appears I can't go two weeks without talking about Dwight Howard. If you are wondering what he's been up to since his surgery I'm guessing he's doing the same exact thing were all doing, watching the Magic lose to the Pacers. If the Magic somehow pull off the upset I don't think they will make it pass the conference semifinals without their Superman. Dwight will be missing the summer Olympic games but he hopes to be 100% healthy come next season. If he is healthy it's my guess he won't be playing for the Orlando Magic. Throughout the entire season he had rips with the Orlando management and coach Stan Van Gundy. Unless every report we heard was false, I think it's pretty safe to assume D12 doesn't want to be in Orlando anymore. The only real question is where does Dwight want to take his talents?
Possible Landing Spots:
New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
There was a lot of speculation that Howard wanted to go play for Jay Z, in Brooklyn, for the new look Nets. The Nets already have a solid foundation with Deron Williams, Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks. Last season the Nets finished 22-44 good enough for last place in the Atlantic Division. The Nets ownership made it clear they want to bring in talent when they sold the house on Deron Williams midway through the 2011 season. Now they must add another piece around him in order to compete in the East. This move would satisfy D12's ego by playing in a big city and playing along side a superstar who wants to pass him the ball (9.2 assists per game for his career) unlike the way his Magic teammates did (only two players averaged over 3 assists per game in 2012). In order for this move to happen I think the Magic will want a handful of useful assets in return. This may include: Brook Lopez (24 years old), Sheldon Williams (28 years old), Jordan Farmar (former Laker, 25 years old), and possibly Anthony Morrow (26 years old). All of those players, except Morrow, were former first round selections. I also would expect Orlando to receive some combination of draft picks or cash considerations.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers tried to acquire Dwight Howard this past season but the deal was shut down by league Commissioner David Stern. The Lakers also tried to grab All Star point guard Chris Paul but he ended up going to the city rival Clippers. If this deal goes through it may be the best option for the Magic as they would most certainly receive young Andrew Bynum in return. As a Laker fan I don't want this move to happen just because I think the chemistry that Kobe, Pau and the rest of the Lakers have with Bynum is at its peak and I don't want to see that ruined. If Laker management "pulls the trigger" on this move (cut to a picture of Gilbert Arenas staring at me) then it would be Show Time all over again with Kobe and crew. In my opinion the Lakers should focus more on acquiring a new swing man such as Gerald Wallace from the Nets or Corey Brewer from the Nuggets to replace the mentally unstable artist formerly known as Ron Artest.
New York Knicks
A very underrated option on the list of teams Howard has to choose from would be the New York Knicks. As you will see, every team on this list is located in a big city. In order to acquire Howard I think the Knicks would have to send Tyson Chandler (Defensive POY) and part-time glass punching extraordinaire Amare Stoudemire to the Magic. If this happens I think both teams would be considered winners in the trade. The Magic would receive two big men that can play above average defense and Amare, when he's not punching glass, can create scoring opportunities allowing the team to not have to rely on the 3 point shot as much. This would take pressure off former All Star point guard Jameer Nelson and future star swing man Ryan Anderson. The Knicks would gain the down low scoring machine they didn't get with Stoudemire. Howard would work well with Carmelo because he would feed off his mid range game. With Anthony taking the 15 footers it will force the big men from under the basket to come out and guard him leaving D12 open to clean things up. Howard would also provide the shot blocking skills the Knicks lack. Last season the Knicks were tied for 26th in the league averaging 4.2 blocks per game. Howard by himself averaged 2.1 blocks per game. The Knicks would fill in the rest of their starting five with Jeremy Linn, Jared Jeffries, and Landry Fields. Their bench would most likely include: Baron Davis, J.R. Smith, Steve Novak and Josh Harrellson. If this move goes through I will have New York finishing in the top 3 in the Eastern conference next season.
Dallas Mavericks
It was reported last season that Dwight would not be opposed to playing for the Mavericks. Of all the possible landing spots I think that Howard would receive the most money here as Maverick's owner Mark Cuban is not shy on spending cash. The Mavericks are still a solid team that looks to contend for years to come. The Mavericks don't have a lot of interesting pieces to send to Orlando besides Brendan Haywood but if Cuban is involved I'm sure he will offer a lot of cash considerations and draft picks. This move would help out Dallas a lot more than it would the Magic.
Los Angeles Clippers
Here's a move that may surprise you. The Clippers are finally in a situation where they can have sustainable success so why not build on that? Can you imagine another "Big 3" in LA of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard (Lakers: Kobe, Gasol and Bynum). The Clippers, unlike the Mavericks, have a lot to offer Orlando. Young big man DeAndre Jordan (23 years old), small forward Nick Young (26 years old) and guard Randy Foye (28 years old) are all possible trade pieces the Clippers can offer. All of these guys were top 40 draft selections when they entered the league. I would assume that the Magic would also want a few draft picks and I think the Clippers would have no issue ponying up the picks to bring in a premier center. The Clippers can compete without Dwight Howard but I don't think they can win a championship with their current roster unless they make one more major move.
Phoenix Suns
I want to discuss one more under the radar team with the Phoenix Suns. If the Suns resign Nash they should try to bring in a big man he can work with (no offense to Gortat but Howard is better, that's why the Magic let you go in the first place). If D12 goes to the Suns I think the Magic can haul in some talent with Marcin Gortat (already knows the Magic's offense), high flying Shannon Brown (former Laker bench star), Robin Lopez (young big man who offers solid bench production) and maybe veteran sharp shooter Michael Redd. This trade may not make the Suns a favorite in the Western conference but they would be in much better position to make a playoff run next season as Steve Nash's career is on its last legs (no pun intended).
Dwight may choose to go to any of these places or somewhere else. All I know is that I will be shocked if he decides to stay in Orlando. If he does stay in Orlando it would more than likely mean the firing of coach Stan Van Gundy. For my gut call I will put the above choices in the order I think is most likely to happen starting with:
1. New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
2. New York Knicks
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Somewhere Else
If you want to talk more about D12 hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
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