What if the Cavs did a sign & trade of LeBron to Orlando for Howard...

[nickagneta]

I know unlikely scenario but if LeBron was willing and the GMs crazy enough to do it with all the other things still available for the two clubs to be able to do what do you think?

Who would come out ahead in that trade?

Which team most improves their chances of going to the ECFs or Finals?

What other moves regarding signing their own players or using their MLEs and LLEs could either team do to get better?

Would this trade change the landscape of the Eastern Conference?

Could LeBron live with Stan Van Gundy and make it work?

[cdif911]

I don't see Lebron's incentive to go to Orlando...

but if he were there

he'd be no better off than in Cleveland.  No legit big guy - Gortat is about equal value to Shaq; Rashard and Jamison are a wash...Carter/Reddick/Pietrus really no better or worse than West/Parker/Moon and I'd give Nelson the slight edge to Mo at the point, but the way Bron demands the ball it'd hurt Nelson and make him a spot up shooter much like Williams

this trade would be a wash IMO

now if Orlando could get Bron for Carter, Nelson and Gortat...that'd be an interesting trade indeed

[Who]

Orlando because they have an extremely talented backup center in Marcin Gortat who can fill part of that void left by Howard.

A three man wing rotation of LeBron, Vince and Pietrus. Jameer at the point. Anderson, Bass and Lewis sharing the remaining frontcourt minutes. Need to sign either a backup guard or a backup center in free agency.

Lots of lineup flexibility with LeBron's ability to play four positions and with Rashard Lewis as a combo forward as well as big wings (Pietrus, Vince) who can man either wing position ...

A big lineup with Bron at the point, Vince at the two, Shard at the three, Gortat at the five and either Bass or Anderson at the four. That would be fun to see. You could even use that as a starting lineup and have Jameer in that sixth man role that he plays ever so well. 

Or a lineup where LeBron plays the point, Vince and Pietrus on the wings with Shard and Gortat up front. Then sign an MLE player on the wing in free agency (say Mike Miller) and have a bench of Nelson, MLE wing, Ryan Anderson and Bass.

I love that versatility, that lineup flexibility.

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Cleveland would need significant reconstruction. Mo Williams isn't able to be a starting point guard in this league without having a teammate or offensive system that can take some of the playmaking responsibilities off of his shoulders.

Jamison can work for the time-being but due to his age will need to go. Varejao is still great for that sixth man role. No talent on the wings. Delonte is a useful backup guard. Hickson is a decent piece but his minutes will be limited by Jamison/Howard/Varejao.

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I think Orlando would become the best team in the East.

As for Cleveland, I think they would be in the Hawks realm of the world.

[Who]

I don't see Lebron's incentive to go to Orlando...

Yeah, there's not enough incentive to go there without Dwight Howard on the roster. LeBron is far more likely to sign with Miami (Wade), Chicago (Rose, Noah, Deng) or New York (second max contract player).

If the Magic did pull off a sign and trade this summer, I think their trade package would either be:

(1) Vince Carter and change
(2) Rashard Lewis and change
(3) Role players (Bass, Gortat, Pietrus) and change

Change = Ryan Anderson + 2/3 future draft picks + possibly a valued role player.

[LB3533]

If both teams were willing to deal their stars, and I was Orlando, I'd send Howard and VC to the Cavs for Lebron in a sign and trade.

Magic could field a couple pretty decent starting 5....

PG: Nelson
SG: Lebron
SF: Lewis
PF: Bass
C: Gortat

or

PG: Neslson
SG: Reddick
SF: Lebron
PF: Lewis
C: Gortat


Lebron would be the inside presence and he could kick out to shooters while Gortat could possibly get offensive boards.

[rjsuperfly66]

I personally would rather have Howard on my team.  You can never underestimate the value of an athletic 7 foot double-double machine who will also shut down penetration and get several blocks a game.

Also, because many teams need to double him on the block, it opens up space for shooters.  Fortunately for the Celtics, Perk, Sheed, and Davis were all able to do a decent job defending him and never forced them to consistently double him.

[RondoKid]

I hate em both. Overrated players who have no rings. Howard is a one trick pony in the paint. He hasn't developed any offensive game over the years besides his sky hook.

[Celtic#9]

I hate em both. Overrated players who have no rings. Howard is a one trick pony in the paint. He hasn't developed any offensive game over the years besides his sky hook.

agreed I am not impressed at all with his offense. No good moves and not consistent enough with the few he does have. All he can really do is dunk offensive rebounds and catch ally-oops.

[Overrated]

Howard is a one trick pony in the paint. He hasn't developed any offensive game over the years besides his sky hook.

And even his hook isn't that special. He was throwing up bricks against the Celtics.

[BballTim]

   Orlando would be a pretty mediocre defensive team without Howard. Rondo vs Orlando would look like Rondo vs Cleveland did this year.

[Who]

   Orlando would be a pretty mediocre defensive team without Howard.

I disagree, I think the Magic would be an above average defensive team without Howard. Add LeBron James and I think they are comfortably a top ten team.

If they then played James at the point and started Pietrus on the wing and gave him 30 minutes or so a night, I think the Magic would be a top three defensive team.

[Fafnir]

   Orlando would be a pretty mediocre defensive team without Howard.

I disagree, I think the Magic would be an above average defensive team without Howard. Add LeBron James and I think they are comfortably a top ten team.

If they then played James at the point and started Pietrus on the wing and gave him 30 minutes or so a night, I think the Magic would be a top three defensive team.

Yeah having Gortat to step in and absorb the role of starting center would equip the Magic to make this trade without a second thought.

[BballTim]

   Orlando would be a pretty mediocre defensive team without Howard.

I disagree, I think the Magic would be an above average defensive team without Howard. Add LeBron James and I think they are comfortably a top ten team.

If they then played James at the point and started Pietrus on the wing and gave him 30 minutes or so a night, I think the Magic would be a top three defensive team.

  Rondo had a pretty easy time getting to the rim against Gortat. Without Howard to protect the rim that team isn't very good defensively. And I don't think that James can cover point guards. I kept hearing that he was going to guard Rondo, but he's not quick enough.

[slamtheking]

If I'm ORL I make that deal before CLE comes to their senses.  The supporting cast in ORL is better than the one in CLE.  If you think Nelson, Carter, Lewis, Pietrus and Reddick can open looks with Howard's drawing double-teams, think of how open they'll be with the coverage Bron draws.  Gortat is a starting caliber center.  He's not Howard, but he's no slouch. 

As for Bron's incentive, ORL is a bigger market and just think of the marketing $$$$ he could make with Disney and the other theme parks (not to mention the tourism in general) in Florida.

[Lucky17]

I don't see Lebron's incentive to go to Orlando...

Huge financial incentive. The S&T would give him the extra year at max money (thanks to resigning, technically, with Cleveland), and going to Florida (no income tax) would be even bigger.

Granted, I don't think he'd be much closer to a championship, and I'm guessing Orlando might actually be a smaller market than Cleveland.