Why does everyone think DH12 is looking into New Jersey?

[paulcowens]

I think it's hard to read Dwight Howard's mind.    I'm not sure he even knows exactly what he wants or exactly where he is headed.  Would he prefer to be the latest legend of an already legendary franchise, taking on the legacy of Bill Russell?  Or would he prefer to be a kind of foundational legend in a franchise that hasn't quite made it's mark yet, since ABA days?   Does he want to be at the center of the biggest spotlight there is, where every failure is magnified, in NYC?   Or would he prefer a secondary spotlight that is still big enough to reward achievement with fame?   One can go on and on with these riddles.  But I think the PG riddle is the easiest one to figure.  Sure, CP and DWill have more rounded out games than Rondo, but Rondo is, without a doubt, the facilitator par excellence.  If Ainge pairs Rondo with a real Monster in the Middle, he can step back and watch the two of them break records.  I think that's got to be awfully tempting to Howard...

[droopdog7]

The mostly likel reason that people are speculating NJ is that Howard (or most likely, his people), have already sent out those signals.

[jambr380]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

KG and Ray would become free agents, but they would also likely re-sign for [a lot] less money to continue being part of the team. I highly doubt they would go to NJ if they got Howard.

With all of this being said, I just hope we sign can go out next year, stay healthy, and seriously contend for a championship. This will be beneficial for us even if we don't land Howard.

[jc3celticsphan]

Play with Deron Williams -- a superstar point guard who can pass and score, but won't be considered the face of the franchise once DH12 shows up. 

Play in Brooklyn at a new arena.  Huge media market.  Dwight gets to be a super mega star. 

The chance to carve himself a huge place in the history of a franchise.  If he brings a championship to the Nets, he can say that he's done something for that franchise that nobody else ever has.

With D-Will and Dwight plus plenty of cap room and an owner eager to spend money, the Nets will be in a good position to add talent around their stars.  It's worth noting that D-Will and DH12 would be a much easier duo to build around than Rondo and Dwight. 

uhh and why would he want all of this? all i hear is chance and i think he has a better chance in orlando then in new jerzey. if hes sold on winning championships and wants 15 players on a team to bring it night in and night out, why new jerzey? Dwight wants to win now and by joining new jerzey that wont happen for a while.

Its either championships or money you cant have both. its called sacrifice look at our big 3.

in boston you get a proven coach DOC
rondo in playoffs brings it every night! and dwight knows this
hall of famer paul pierce. who turns practice into the finals
ray the best shooter in the nba/history
kg hall of famer one of the best PF's to ever play the game/defensive POY canidate STILL!

with the nets you get to go to brooklyn with deron williams and make some money hahahah are you serious.

[GreenEnvy]

The Nets are a definite realistic landing spot for Howard.

They have a willing owner. A brand new, state-of-the-art arena. They would be on the upswing, and he can become the face of the franchise and be the driving force behind making a new powerhouse. And they have Williams.

Boston has the owner and the PG. TD Garden is no dump. But he will never join the pantheon of the Celtics legends. He wouldn't even be the face of the franchise with Pierce on the team.

I think he can land in both places. More likely in NY/NJ if he becomes a free agent, and in Boston if he gets traded. Boston has all their pieces aligned, so if they can put together a package Orlando accepts, I think he will OK it and sign an extension. The Nets need to sign DWill first before anything happens with Dwight, and I don't think DWill is ready to commit until after the next season plays out. I highly doubt they get into a bidding war for Howard, but with Prokorov, they just may offer anything and everything (except Williams). Is a combo of Lopez, Humphries, Morrow, Vujacic, etc. and picks enough? Possibly.

Do you really think the arena is a factor in free agent decisions? I strongly doubt it would even enter Dwight's mind.  Nor is the Russian owner likely to be any more appealing than Boston's group (or Orlando's owner).  And there's no way 35 year old, about to retire Pierce is going to be the face of the franchise if Dwight signs.  No way.  KG got more of the spotlight when Pierce was in his prime.

Why would he never join the pantheon of C's legends? 

As for NY, I don't think they have a shot at him.  They have too much money already tied up, esp. in their frontcourt.

I think you have it backwards thinking NJ has the free agency advantage and our best bet is a trade.  We have more cap space in 2012, a more recent winning tradition and little to no roster deadweight (no Outlaw or Farmar contracts), not to mention the prospect of KG and Ray as twilight role players.  NJ has the better trade asset (a young center in Lopez) but it's still not good value for Howard; Boston only has expirings to offer in trade - Orlando wouldn't trade Howard to us.

 

Of course players care about the facilities they get to work at. Pierce is the captain and leader of the team, and that isn't changing. Because he is 33 years old means what? That he's been on the team for 13 years?

Who is the face of the Yankees? Must be ARod, he's their highest paid and best all-around player. Or maybe Granderson, Teixeira, Cano, or Sabathia? Nope. It's Jeter. Second would be Mariano.

Dwight would be the new kid on the block like KG was, but Pierce is a Celtic legend.

Prokorov seems cut-throat and willing to do anything to become a contender. I'd want to play for a guy like that.

As for our trade assets, we have enough. We can use Green, BBD, Bradley, Delonte, even Johnson if we have to. We have more than just expiring contracts.

As for our cap in 2012, I don't know why people are under the assumption that it's doing to stay that low. We need players, and unfortunately not all of them are going to play on a year-to-year contract. To win next season, we are going to have to use the MLE, and probably resign Green. If we make a run at CP3, that's even more $$. Multiple draft picks (Johnson and most likely two next season).

NJ probably won't add anymore to their cap, and can even get out of a bad contract by trading Lopez.

And by NY/NJ, I didn't mean the Knicks (he's not going there IMO), I meant NJ now, NY when he gets there.

[Chris]

I just think NJ has the best package to trade for him.  They have a young, potential franchise center who would be the perfect centerpiece to a trade for Howard.  NJ also has the motivation to trade for him, because they want to convince Williams to resign, and concievably, they both could convince each other to stick around.

[snively]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

Remember, Brook Lopez is a restricted FA in 2012 and his cap hold will be around $10 mil.  And he plays the same position as Dwight.  If NJ is really serious about pursuing Dwight as a free agent, Lopez will be dumped on team with cap space a la Michael Beasley. 

Assuming neither NJ nor Boston commit long-term salary to any free agents this year (Humphries and Green will likely tempt both), this is likely what they'd be offering Dwight:

1. NJ: Deron Williams (maybe - remember he can opt out and leave NJ if he wants), one good roleplayer (Morrow), three weak roleplayers (Outlaw, Farmar, Petro), some interesting young guys (Damion James, Marshon Brooks, 2012 picks) and ~$20 mil in cap space (assuming a $62 mil flex cap).
2. Boston: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, some interesting young guys (Avery Bradley, Jajuan Jonson, 2012 picks - including the potential late lottery Clips pick) and ~30 mil in cap space.

In such a scenario, Boston has the advantage in talent and cap flexibility.  If they spend some long-term money on quality players this offseason (Jeff Green, an MLE signing), they draw even in cap flexibility while increasing their talent advantage. 

NJ has the advantage only in a trade scenario, as their superior short-term cap flexibility (they are under the cap for 2011) and Brook Lopez make them at least theoretically feasible as a trade destination for Howard.  Still very unlikely though.  Brook has regressed a bit as a prospect (totally forgot how to rebound), and NJ has little else in the stable. 

[PosImpos]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

Remember, Brook Lopez is a restricted FA in 2012 and his cap hold will be around $10 mil.  And he plays the same position as Dwight.  If NJ is really serious about pursuing Dwight as a free agent, Lopez will be dumped on team with cap space a la Michael Beasley. 

Assuming neither NJ nor Boston commit long-term salary to any free agents this year (Humphries and Green will likely tempt both), this is likely what they'd be offering Dwight:

1. NJ: Deron Williams (maybe - remember he can opt out and leave NJ if he wants), one good roleplayer (Morrow), three weak roleplayers (Outlaw, Farmar, Petro), some interesting young guys (Damion James, Marshon Brooks, 2012 picks) and ~$20 mil in cap space (assuming a $62 mil flex cap).
2. Boston: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, some interesting young guys (Avery Bradley, Jajuan Jonson, 2012 picks - including the potential late lottery Clips pick) and ~30 mil in cap space.

In such a scenario, Boston has the advantage in talent and cap flexibility.  If they spend some long-term money on quality players this offseason (Jeff Green, an MLE signing), they draw even in cap flexibility while increasing their talent advantage. 

NJ has the advantage only in a trade scenario, as their superior short-term cap flexibility (they are under the cap for 2011) and Brook Lopez make them at least theoretically feasible as a trade destination for Howard.  Still very unlikely though.  Brook has regressed a bit as a prospect (totally forgot how to rebound), and NJ has little else in the stable. 

NJ could also trade Brook for a prospect or two and an expiring contract prior to the summer of 2012 if they believed Dwight would reach free agency.

[Mike-Dub]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

Remember, Brook Lopez is a restricted FA in 2012 and his cap hold will be around $10 mil.  And he plays the same position as Dwight.  If NJ is really serious about pursuing Dwight as a free agent, Lopez will be dumped on team with cap space a la Michael Beasley. 

Assuming neither NJ nor Boston commit long-term salary to any free agents this year (Humphries and Green will likely tempt both), this is likely what they'd be offering Dwight:

1. NJ: Deron Williams (maybe - remember he can opt out and leave NJ if he wants), one good roleplayer (Morrow), three weak roleplayers (Outlaw, Farmar, Petro), some interesting young guys (Damion James, Marshon Brooks, 2012 picks) and ~$20 mil in cap space (assuming a $62 mil flex cap).
2. Boston: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, some interesting young guys (Avery Bradley, Jajuan Jonson, 2012 picks - including the potential late lottery Clips pick) and ~30 mil in cap space.

In such a scenario, Boston has the advantage in talent and cap flexibility.  If they spend some long-term money on quality players this offseason (Jeff Green, an MLE signing), they draw even in cap flexibility while increasing their talent advantage. 

NJ has the advantage only in a trade scenario, as their superior short-term cap flexibility (they are under the cap for 2011) and Brook Lopez make them at least theoretically feasible as a trade destination for Howard.  Still very unlikely though.  Brook has regressed a bit as a prospect (totally forgot how to rebound), and NJ has little else in the stable. 

NJ could also trade Brook for a prospect or two and an expiring contract prior to the summer of 2012 if they believed Dwight would reach free agency.

You guys are forgetting (unfortunately Dwight may over look this too) that our management proven to be winners these past 4 years and even though Aver Johnson is a good coach we have the best coach in the league.

[Fred Roberts]

brooklyn is going to have a killer set up that will create some serious buzz once it's underway. I think FA's will be inclined to play there.
however, brook lopez does not strike me as a star. seems like an above average role player, but nevertheless still an asset for the Nets to put next to Howard.
if Deron stays I bet he'd want to sign there. Boston would be attractive too ... but maybe not as cool in his eyes given how BK has hard core bball roots, a brand new stadium, uniforms, media attention potential, etc. the man loves the limelight.

[PosImpos]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

Remember, Brook Lopez is a restricted FA in 2012 and his cap hold will be around $10 mil.  And he plays the same position as Dwight.  If NJ is really serious about pursuing Dwight as a free agent, Lopez will be dumped on team with cap space a la Michael Beasley. 

Assuming neither NJ nor Boston commit long-term salary to any free agents this year (Humphries and Green will likely tempt both), this is likely what they'd be offering Dwight:

1. NJ: Deron Williams (maybe - remember he can opt out and leave NJ if he wants), one good roleplayer (Morrow), three weak roleplayers (Outlaw, Farmar, Petro), some interesting young guys (Damion James, Marshon Brooks, 2012 picks) and ~$20 mil in cap space (assuming a $62 mil flex cap).
2. Boston: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, some interesting young guys (Avery Bradley, Jajuan Jonson, 2012 picks - including the potential late lottery Clips pick) and ~30 mil in cap space.

In such a scenario, Boston has the advantage in talent and cap flexibility.  If they spend some long-term money on quality players this offseason (Jeff Green, an MLE signing), they draw even in cap flexibility while increasing their talent advantage. 

NJ has the advantage only in a trade scenario, as their superior short-term cap flexibility (they are under the cap for 2011) and Brook Lopez make them at least theoretically feasible as a trade destination for Howard.  Still very unlikely though.  Brook has regressed a bit as a prospect (totally forgot how to rebound), and NJ has little else in the stable. 

NJ could also trade Brook for a prospect or two and an expiring contract prior to the summer of 2012 if they believed Dwight would reach free agency.

You guys are forgetting (unfortunately Dwight may over look this too) that our management proven to be winners these past 4 years and even though Aver Johnson is a good coach we have the best coach in the league.

As you note yourself, Dwight will probably overlook that.  I don't think the players put nearly as much importance on the history of the franchise (even in recent years) as many of us fans seem to think.  All they care about is who is currently on the team.

[snively]

The Nets are a definite realistic landing spot for Howard.

They have a willing owner. A brand new, state-of-the-art arena. They would be on the upswing, and he can become the face of the franchise and be the driving force behind making a new powerhouse. And they have Williams.

Boston has the owner and the PG. TD Garden is no dump. But he will never join the pantheon of the Celtics legends. He wouldn't even be the face of the franchise with Pierce on the team.

I think he can land in both places. More likely in NY/NJ if he becomes a free agent, and in Boston if he gets traded. Boston has all their pieces aligned, so if they can put together a package Orlando accepts, I think he will OK it and sign an extension. The Nets need to sign DWill first before anything happens with Dwight, and I don't think DWill is ready to commit until after the next season plays out. I highly doubt they get into a bidding war for Howard, but with Prokorov, they just may offer anything and everything (except Williams). Is a combo of Lopez, Humphries, Morrow, Vujacic, etc. and picks enough? Possibly.

Do you really think the arena is a factor in free agent decisions? I strongly doubt it would even enter Dwight's mind.  Nor is the Russian owner likely to be any more appealing than Boston's group (or Orlando's owner).  And there's no way 35 year old, about to retire Pierce is going to be the face of the franchise if Dwight signs.  No way.  KG got more of the spotlight when Pierce was in his prime.

Why would he never join the pantheon of C's legends? 

As for NY, I don't think they have a shot at him.  They have too much money already tied up, esp. in their frontcourt.

I think you have it backwards thinking NJ has the free agency advantage and our best bet is a trade.  We have more cap space in 2012, a more recent winning tradition and little to no roster deadweight (no Outlaw or Farmar contracts), not to mention the prospect of KG and Ray as twilight role players.  NJ has the better trade asset (a young center in Lopez) but it's still not good value for Howard; Boston only has expirings to offer in trade - Orlando wouldn't trade Howard to us.

 

Of course players care about the facilities they get to work at. Pierce is the captain and leader of the team, and that isn't changing. Because he is 33 years old means what? That he's been on the team for 13 years?

Who is the face of the Yankees? Must be ARod, he's their highest paid and best all-around player. Or maybe Granderson, Teixeira, Cano, or Sabathia? Nope. It's Jeter. Second would be Mariano.

Dwight would be the new kid on the block like KG was, but Pierce is a Celtic legend.

Prokorov seems cut-throat and willing to do anything to become a contender. I'd want to play for a guy like that.

As for our trade assets, we have enough. We can use Green, BBD, Bradley, Delonte, even Johnson if we have to. We have more than just expiring contracts.

As for our cap in 2012, I don't know why people are under the assumption that it's doing to stay that low. We need players, and unfortunately not all of them are going to play on a year-to-year contract. To win next season, we are going to have to use the MLE, and probably resign Green. If we make a run at CP3, that's even more $$. Multiple draft picks (Johnson and most likely two next season).

NJ probably won't add anymore to their cap, and can even get out of a bad contract by trading Lopez.

And by NY/NJ, I didn't mean the Knicks (he's not going there IMO), I meant NJ now, NY when he gets there.

I just can't see Dwight thinking: "Dang, the Nets have such a slick new arena.  Their jumbotron screen is bigger than Boston's.  I'm playing there." What about the Nets' arena do you think would make the Nets a more desirable location than Boston?

Pierce is the captain and has plenty of sentimental value, but KG is the clear leader of the team, its most dominant personality, and has been the most prominent name on the team since he got here (only injuries, age and declining production have brought down his stature). And that's with a prime Pierce.  Pierce at his peak never even came close to Dwight's stature as an NBA figure: Antoine Walker got as much or more attention than Pierce ever did.  A fringe all-star Pierce in the twilight of his career won't come close to stealing Dwight's spotlight.  This is not a knock on Pierce as a player.  He's just never been a high-profile athlete or leader relative to his peers.

Prokorov seems willing to do anything to become a contender? I guess that's nice, but how is that more desirable than Boston's ownership/management team?  They've actually proven they're willing to do anything to be a contender.  They dismantled a mediocre fringe playoff team, pulled off the most remarkable one season turn around in NBA history and piled into the luxury tax for four straight years of high level contention.  Unless you're implying that Prokorov would actually cut throats to make a contender, there's nothing he could do to out-do what Boston has already done.

As for trade assets, Baby isn't one: he's a sub-MLE, unrestricted free agent.  Same with Delonte.  Bradley and Johnson have negligible trade value.  Green has a little trade value as a restricted free agent, but not much.  He's still a free agent. To land KG, we had to trade a stud young player (Big Al) on his rookie deal, and a bunch of young prospects who had shown more than Bradley or Johnson.  We can't offer anything close to that, and Howard's even more valuable than KG was. 

As for the assumption that our cap will stay low, Ainge affirmed it himself in a recent interview.  There's a very real possibility that Jeff Green is retained on his one-year QO, and the team can add an MLE guy and still have more cap room than NJ.  If they made a move for CP3, unless they took back Okafor, it probably wouldn't affect their situation much (Rondo and 2012 picks would probably make similar money to CP3).

Good point about NJ possibly being able to get further under the cap by using Lopez as bad contract deodorizer.  Outlaw and Lopez for say Boris Diaw and a pick would enlarge their cap room (but Boston would still have more if they don't add multi-year deals).

[Marcus13]

Here's what we know:

1. He's going to a team that has the CAP Space to sign a max player

2. He's going to a team that already has a superstar on the roster for him to team with

A lot can change before next off-season but New Jersey definitely fits that description.  The brand new arena in New York doesn't hurt either

[snively]

Here's what we know:

1. He's going to a team that has the CAP Space to sign a max player

2. He's going to a team that already has a superstar on the roster for him to team with

A lot can change before next off-season but New Jersey definitely fits that description.  The brand new arena in New York doesn't hurt either

How do we know this?  He could be traded to a team without cap space (LA).  And how do you know he's going to a team with a superstar on board? And if you do know this, do you know what his definition of a superstar player is (all-star, all-star starter, MVP winner, 25+ppg scorer)?

Finally, what's with the fascination with his supposed fascination for a new arena?  Did TD Banknorth Garden attract us any new free agents when it was built?  Did the Lakers' start attracting more free agents when they switched from the Forum to the Staples Center?  Is New York at a free agent disadvantage because MSG is so dang old?

[Mike-Dub]

I'm not seeing it. They have one star, who's only on contract for next season, and not a lot of role players signed long term. They have less cap space than Boston for the 2012 offseason.

In order for Boston to sign Dwight Boston would have to renounce rights to most FAs, including Ray and KG.

It basically comes down to:
(1) D-Will, Lopez and a few role players
(2) Rondo, Pierce and a few role players

That's already slightly tilted in NJ's favor given Pierce's age. Couple that with the NY location and chance to make a mark on a new franchise (Brooklyn)....

Remember, Brook Lopez is a restricted FA in 2012 and his cap hold will be around $10 mil.  And he plays the same position as Dwight.  If NJ is really serious about pursuing Dwight as a free agent, Lopez will be dumped on team with cap space a la Michael Beasley. 

Assuming neither NJ nor Boston commit long-term salary to any free agents this year (Humphries and Green will likely tempt both), this is likely what they'd be offering Dwight:

1. NJ: Deron Williams (maybe - remember he can opt out and leave NJ if he wants), one good roleplayer (Morrow), three weak roleplayers (Outlaw, Farmar, Petro), some interesting young guys (Damion James, Marshon Brooks, 2012 picks) and ~$20 mil in cap space (assuming a $62 mil flex cap).
2. Boston: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, some interesting young guys (Avery Bradley, Jajuan Jonson, 2012 picks - including the potential late lottery Clips pick) and ~30 mil in cap space.

In such a scenario, Boston has the advantage in talent and cap flexibility.  If they spend some long-term money on quality players this offseason (Jeff Green, an MLE signing), they draw even in cap flexibility while increasing their talent advantage. 

NJ has the advantage only in a trade scenario, as their superior short-term cap flexibility (they are under the cap for 2011) and Brook Lopez make them at least theoretically feasible as a trade destination for Howard.  Still very unlikely though.  Brook has regressed a bit as a prospect (totally forgot how to rebound), and NJ has little else in the stable. 

NJ could also trade Brook for a prospect or two and an expiring contract prior to the summer of 2012 if they believed Dwight would reach free agency.

You guys are forgetting (unfortunately Dwight may over look this too) that our management proven to be winners these past 4 years and even though Aver Johnson is a good coach we have the best coach in the league.

As you note yourself, Dwight will probably overlook that.  I don't think the players put nearly as much importance on the history of the franchise (even in recent years) as many of us fans seem to think.  All they care about is who is currently on the team.

He wouldn't be overlooking that with LA because of the weather and publicity.  But Boston doesn't have the weather LA does or as much publicity. 

Will he over look Doc and Danny's selling points?  I hope not.