OKC Thunder should go after Dwight Howard (Harden+Perkins+Collison+Maynor))

[mqtcelticsfan]

I imagine something like this could be offered.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=82t649e

I was thinking about something like this myself.  I think it makes a ton of sense for both teams.

Presti would never break up his carefully built core group like that. 

Yep. There's really no need for the Thunder to do this. They're ridiculously strong contenders without Howard. They have two stars and a great group of players to build around.

[Moranis]

I imagine something like this could be offered.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=82t649e

I was thinking about something like this myself.  I think it makes a ton of sense for both teams.

Presti would never break up his carefully built core group like that. 

Yep. There's really no need for the Thunder to do this. They're ridiculously strong contenders without Howard. They have two stars and a great group of players to build around.

The Thunder should inquire about Howard without question.  He would instantly be the second best player on that team and exactly what the team needs.  They are not however going to give up Harden, Westbrook, and Perkins to get him.  2 of the 3 and OKC might do it.

[wdleehi]

I imagine something like this could be offered.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=82t649e

I was thinking about something like this myself.  I think it makes a ton of sense for both teams.

Presti would never break up his carefully built core group like that. 

Yep. There's really no need for the Thunder to do this. They're ridiculously strong contenders without Howard. They have two stars and a great group of players to build around.

The Thunder should inquire about Howard without question.  He would instantly be the second best player on that team and exactly what the team needs.  They are not however going to give up Harden, Westbrook, and Perkins to get him.  2 of the 3 and OKC might do it.

After another performance like that, I have no doubt the is would be a great trade for the Thunder.  They get a top 2 player in Howard.  They get a real inside threat to go with Durant's shooting. 

[Lord of Mikawa]

Stern would be beside himself, with three of the league's biggest stars playing together--in Oklahoma.

Suddenly I support this idea

OK City is already a market for other sports. Howard going there would make it a Midwest mecca almost.

[chambers]

I imagine something like this could be offered.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=82t649e

I was thinking about something like this myself.  I think it makes a ton of sense for both teams.

Presti would never break up his carefully built core group like that. 

Yep. There's really no need for the Thunder to do this. They're ridiculously strong contenders without Howard. They have two stars and a great group of players to build around.

Disagree,
Perkins+Ibaka are one of the weakest front courts in the NBA offensively.
I seriously doubt the Thunder will ever beat the Easts toughest teams in a 7 game finals series because teams will drown Durant and let Westbrook shoot them out of the series.
Howard brings offense and defense and rebounding.
Easy decision for the Thunder and they would jump at a trade like this. They'd be stupid not to.

[TripleOT]

If I am Orlando, I want to stay away from that Perkins contract.

Do you really think that 4 years and $32 million is that onerous a contract for a top defensive center?  Or are you just trying to perpetuate a myth to justify Ainge's idiotic trade of Perk for Green and junk.  

Defensive centers signed the summer like Jordan and Chandler signed for 40-80% more than Perk.  Over the past decade, $8m per for a starting center not on a rookie deal was low. Stiffs like Dalembert and Kwame got $7m, although for a shorter term.  

Perk is only 27.  $8m a year for the next four is a club friendly contract in the crazy world of the NBA.  OKC is 18-5 with Perk as a starter, BTW, and he fits in perfectly with their team.  Great trade by Presti, and with Green's health issues, one of the biggest fleecings in recent NBA history.      

[manl_lui]

Oklahoma would have to give up Westbrook to get in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes and, if they did, yeah, I think Orlando would give strong consideration to their trade package.

I would expect the Thunder to try and hold onto Harden and Ibaka too while Orlando tries to pry either one of them away in addition to Westbrook. Not sure whether they'd manage to squeeze one of those guys into the trade package or not.

If Oklahoma did offer one of those guys plus Westbrook, I think they'd have the best trade offer out there. If not, it would be a strong offer but wouldn't separate themselves from the pack. It would depend on what direction Orlando's front office wanted to go in.

giving up Westbrook for Howard seems like a good trade with other pieces added in of course...

if you have a pg who passes the ball and not hog it all the time like Westbrook, then OKC will be pretty dangerous with Durant and Howard

[footey]

Oklahoma would have to give up Westbrook to get in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes and, if they did, yeah, I think Orlando would give strong consideration to their trade package.

I would expect the Thunder to try and hold onto Harden and Ibaka too while Orlando tries to pry either one of them away in addition to Westbrook. Not sure whether they'd manage to squeeze one of those guys into the trade package or not.

If Oklahoma did offer one of those guys plus Westbrook, I think they'd have the best trade offer out there. If not, it would be a strong offer but wouldn't separate themselves from the pack. It would depend on what direction Orlando's front office wanted to go in.

Orlando would want Ibaka, not Perk, and yes, would require Westbrook. That trade would make sense to me.