My reasoning for why the Cs can't sign Dwight as a FA

[BballTim]

You do it.


If it take a year or two to fill in the depth, go for it.  



It is harder to get the centerpiece of your team then it is getting the role player.  
 

But you're missing my point.  My point is that Howard would be less inclined to sign with the team, given the uncertainty surrounding the team.

In other words, the point of the post is captured in Q4 and A4.  Everything else leads up to that...

What team would have cap space and loaded?

Depends on the cap and depends on whether there's a cap on max contracts.  Without doing a thorough analysis, here's some ideas:

(A) New York Knicks: Anthony, Stoudamire, Balkman, Shumpert, ~$20M to spend

(B) Oklahoma: Durant, a bunch of other players, ~$18M to spend if they don't extend QO to Westbrook.

(C) LA Clippers: Giffin, Eric Gordon, Mo Williams, Ryan Gomes, a few others, ~$25+M to spend.

  I wouldn't bet the farm on Howard going to a team where he's going to be third option on offense like the Thunder or the Knicks. He complains about touches during the playoffs when he's already the main scorer on the team.

[GranTur]

Howard is fed up with Stan Van's antics and the horrible Orlando management. Howard wants to go to the Celtics. A proven, winning coaching staff and incredibly smart management are very convincing.

Oklahoma City is a two-man team led by a superstar shooter that doesn't match with Dwight Howard at all.

The Knicks are a team of headcases, especially their coach. No way Howard wants to go there.

[Celtic#9]

Oklahoma City is a two-man team led by a superstar shooter that doesn't match with Dwight Howard at all.

Exactly, if he wants more touches no way he should ever want to play with Westbrook as your PG. All the Thunder run are isos so good luck getting to see the ball more than 10 times a game.

[mctyson]

I don't see how Rondo + Dwight makes a championship team. 

Count me as one of the few people who isn't thrilled by Dwight Howard.  He gets into too much foul trouble and gets too many T's.  Yes he is a freak of nature and a defensive monster.  But his post moves are average and he has zero inside-outside game.  And no FT shooting.  Him and Rondo could have a brick contest. 

People compare him to Shaq - but let's remember that Shaq only made the Finals when he had a playmaker on the wing to carry much of the load.  I would also argue that Shaq had a better interior offensive game, with the same inside-out limitations and no FT shooting.

Who will be the C's wingman?  Pierce at 35/36 years old?  Certainly not Rondo - he is at his best with the floor spread out and on the run.  Wait till Dwight gets here and he parks himself on the block.

The only way it would ever work out would be if they could mimic the Orlando model and get a ton of sharpshooters rotating in and out, with Rondo and Dwight play the pick/roll game, and Rondo kicking for 3's.  Then again...that didn't work for Orlando.

[clawlin]

I don't see how Rondo + Dwight makes a championship team. 

Count me as one of the few people who isn't thrilled by Dwight Howard.  He gets into too much foul trouble and gets too many T's.  Yes he is a freak of nature and a defensive monster.  But his post moves are average and he has zero inside-outside game.  And no FT shooting.  Him and Rondo could have a brick contest. 

People compare him to Shaq - but let's remember that Shaq only made the Finals when he had a playmaker on the wing to carry much of the load.  I would also argue that Shaq had a better interior offensive game, with the same inside-out limitations and no FT shooting.

Who will be the C's wingman?  Pierce at 35/36 years old?  Certainly not Rondo - he is at his best with the floor spread out and on the run.  Wait till Dwight gets here and he parks himself on the block.

The only way it would ever work out would be if they could mimic the Orlando model and get a ton of sharpshooters rotating in and out, with Rondo and Dwight play the pick/roll game, and Rondo kicking for 3's.  Then again...that didn't work for Orlando.

For one thing, you never know who is a championship team until you see them in action.  How many people thought the Mavs were going to win this year?  Everyone labeled them as a fantasy team, not a real league team.  Yet they won.

DA is smart.  He knows what he is doing.  He will have to make SOME run at Dwight, considering hes got the cap room and the franchise to lure a big free agent, especially one who fills one of our biggest holes at the moment.

Dwight is also young and has time to mature.  He is a high character guy in a team where he is the number one option, and the number one focus.  I think were he to go to a team where he was still the number one option, but was surrounded by championship tested veterans who he respects, he could continue to work on his game.

Also, why wouldnt he want to go to a team where he has Rondo feeding him the ball? If I were him, that would be my preference to Kobe/Westbrook/whatever New York is doing.  Having an established, passing 1 isnt easy to come by, and it will give Dwight a chance to not have to create his own shot, and thus better flesh out his post game.

Don't forget our Clippers pick (which I believe we will have unless both the Clippers and Wolves get the lottery), our first rounder, and the Cav's second rounder (probably #31).  We could keep our vets on cheap contracts, if thats what they want to do, and be getting younger.

I think Dwight would be a great piece to build around.

[LilRip]

  I wouldn't bet the farm on Howard going to a team where he's going to be third option on offense like the Thunder or the Knicks. He complains about touches during the playoffs when he's already the main scorer on the team.

wasn't he complaining about that after the game where they had a lead, then after that, he only got like... 2 touches in the 4th or something and they ended up losing the game? i think he has a legit gripe in that situation.

[Cman]

DA is smart.  He knows what he is doing.  He will have to make SOME run at Dwight, considering hes got the cap room and the franchise to lure a big free agent, especially one who fills one of our biggest holes at the moment.

While C is one of our biggest holes at the moment, in order to sign Dwight next summer we'd have to create holes elsewhere in the roster.  If you look at my orginal post, there are now holes at SG and PF, plus you have an aging SF, and no bench.

I'd argue that DA does not have to make a run at Dwight.  The cap room gives flexibility to do many things, including trading for a player this season.

[BballTim]

  I wouldn't bet the farm on Howard going to a team where he's going to be third option on offense like the Thunder or the Knicks. He complains about touches during the playoffs when he's already the main scorer on the team.

wasn't he complaining about that after the game where they had a lead, then after that, he only got like... 2 touches in the 4th or something and they ended up losing the game? i think he has a legit gripe in that situation.

  I think he'd have a legit gripe in about half the games he'd play with Westbrook, and I don't think he'll be happy with the leftovers from Melo and Amare.

[PosImpos]

  I wouldn't bet the farm on Howard going to a team where he's going to be third option on offense like the Thunder or the Knicks. He complains about touches during the playoffs when he's already the main scorer on the team.

wasn't he complaining about that after the game where they had a lead, then after that, he only got like... 2 touches in the 4th or something and they ended up losing the game? i think he has a legit gripe in that situation.

  I think he'd have a legit gripe in about half the games he'd play with Westbrook, and I don't think he'll be happy with the leftovers from Melo and Amare.

Keep in mind -- on the Magic, Dwight is by far the best player.  It's reasonable for him to expect them to go to him in crunch time.  If he were on a team with other superstars like Melo / Amare or Durant, I wouldn't be surprised if he were much more willing to defer.

[Chris]

When I think of Dwight Howard, my first thought is about the Knicks, Nets, and Bulls in the summer of 2010.  They all lined things up to go after Lebron and Wade that summer, and they all struck out on the big guns.  However, at the same time, that fiscal sanity that they showed, put them all in a position where they have rebounded to the point where they are in the best positions they have been in for years, and they have leaped over franchises that have been rebuilding without the cap space. 

So, I don't like this whole planning for Howard stuff.  The chances he comes here are microscopic, and it is just going to lead to disappointment.  However, I think maintaining as much of that cap space as you can is vital to being able to jumpstart the rebuilding process.

[KGs Knee]

When I think of Dwight Howard, my first thought is about the Knicks, Nets, and Bulls in the summer of 2010.  They all lined things up to go after Lebron and Wade that summer, and they all struck out on the big guns.  However, at the same time, that fiscal sanity that they showed, put them all in a position where they have rebounded to the point where they are in the best positions they have been in for years, and they have leaped over franchises that have been rebuilding without the cap space. 

So, I don't like this whole planning for Howard stuff.  The chances he comes here are microscopic, and it is just going to lead to disappointment.  However, I think maintaining as much of that cap space as you can is vital to being able to jumpstart the rebuilding process.

While I disagree on our chances of getting Howard being microscopic, I think we have a very good chance if he isn't traded, I agree with everything else.  Having cap space allows you to do a number of different things.  Who says we have to spend it all in 2012 anyways.

[dark_lord]

i have no idea where howard will end up going but i dont think he will end up a celtic (nothing to base this on other than my gut feeling).  i think he goes to a team with a warm climate (again, just a gut feeling and not based on anything)

[BballTim]

  I wouldn't bet the farm on Howard going to a team where he's going to be third option on offense like the Thunder or the Knicks. He complains about touches during the playoffs when he's already the main scorer on the team.

wasn't he complaining about that after the game where they had a lead, then after that, he only got like... 2 touches in the 4th or something and they ended up losing the game? i think he has a legit gripe in that situation.

  I think he'd have a legit gripe in about half the games he'd play with Westbrook, and I don't think he'll be happy with the leftovers from Melo and Amare.

Keep in mind -- on the Magic, Dwight is by far the best player.  It's reasonable for him to expect them to go to him in crunch time.  If he were on a team with other superstars like Melo / Amare or Durant, I wouldn't be surprised if he were much more willing to defer.

  I don't know about that. Dwight was the best player but not really the best offensive player in terms of being able to get points when needed. I also wouldn't count on him seeing himself as a lesser offensive player than Melo or Amare.

[jc3celticsphan]

When I think of Dwight Howard, my first thought is about the Knicks, Nets, and Bulls in the summer of 2010.  They all lined things up to go after Lebron and Wade that summer, and they all struck out on the big guns.  However, at the same time, that fiscal sanity that they showed, put them all in a position where they have rebounded to the point where they are in the best positions they have been in for years, and they have leaped over franchises that have been rebuilding without the cap space. 

So, I don't like this whole planning for Howard stuff.  The chances he comes here are microscopic, and it is just going to lead to disappointment.  However, I think maintaining as much of that cap space as you can is vital to being able to jumpstart the rebuilding process.

TP You are right its like we are leaning towards hope, like we used to in every draft. BUT with that cap space and that free agency class Im not too mad about it but danny is definetly making a run at dwight theres no question.

Dont forget about the draft BIG BIG draft coming up and not just austin rivers. I think doc signing that extension so quick was because of his son and not dwight. Theres no way doc signs that extension to go through a rebuilding process just for the heck of it they have a plan im 99.9% sure of it.

[Cman]

When I think of Dwight Howard, my first thought is about the Knicks, Nets, and Bulls in the summer of 2010.  They all lined things up to go after Lebron and Wade that summer, and they all struck out on the big guns.  However, at the same time, that fiscal sanity that they showed, put them all in a position where they have rebounded to the point where they are in the best positions they have been in for years, and they have leaped over franchises that have been rebuilding without the cap space. 

So, I don't like this whole planning for Howard stuff.  The chances he comes here are microscopic, and it is just going to lead to disappointment.  However, I think maintaining as much of that cap space as you can is vital to being able to jumpstart the rebuilding process.

Very good point.

The cap space also makes it more palatable to the ownership to take on some big contracts if they decide to trade Ray and/or KG during this season.  The overall point being that the cap space gives the Cs a lot of flexibility going forward. 

Still, you've got to wonder.... at what cost has the flexibility come?  If the Cs had been a little less worried about cap space in 2012 (and had resigned Posey, say, or resigned TA, or not traded KP), would the Cs have won another championship?  We'll never know, of course, but it is important to recognize that there are tradeoffs all around.