Clippers, Celtics Will Pursue Dwight Howard (Rumor)

[rondohondo]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/216815/Clippers_Celtics_Will_Pursue_Dwight_Howard

While the Clippers would an alternative choice for Chris Paul if he is unable to end up with the Knicks, the team's preference is to pursue Dwight Howard by all means necessary say sources.

The Clippers will do everything they can to acquire Howard short of trading Blake Griffin.

Howard and Paul are members of the 2012 free agency class.

RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph reported earlier on Monday that Howard won't be interested in playing for the Clippers. Rudolph also reports that the Celtics will pursue Howard and that the Magic remain a viable option.

No surprise really, but if they really want to attract Howard as a free agent, I think CP3 has to be on the roster.

I suppose we could trade for Howard and then sign CP3 as a max free agent next year if he wasnt dead set on going to nyk

maybe a package of Rondo, Green,BBD Clippers pick and cap filler for Howard? then sign cp3 ? or the other way around .

[Liam W]

David Aldridge on NBA TV said that if he were Otis Smith then he would pick up the phone and ask about doing a Howard for Griffin + Kaman trade

50/50 id say

Howard isnt going to stay in Orlando, So their best bet is to defintley trade him and bring assets back in return.

Im not really interested in Orlando's team shape up, Im more concerned about the Celtics at this moment

[pearljammer10]

I doubt the Clips trade Griffin for anyone...I think he might just be the most untouchable player in the league at this point. Especially with the Clips having a young center with potential in Jordan. The wouldnt want two of their best three players being centers.

I think the Celtics best shot would be to try and sign Howard as a free agent. I think Rondo with Howard would be just as good if not better than CP3 and Howard. It amazing how under appreciated Rondo STILL is around the league.

[bdm860]

How about this rumor.  Lakers are going after both Howard and Paul:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33582541

From Mark Heisler, who covered the Lakers as a beat writer before taking up with SheridanHoops.com:

    When the NBA couldn’t get a full ban on sign-and-trades, it left his Lakers in position to pull off a coup they’re dreaming of, which would make signing LeBron James pale by comparison.

    If Dwight Howard and Chris Paul wind up on the market — a safe assumption as far as I’m concerned — the Lakers could offer Andrew Bynum for Dwight and Pau Gasol for CP3, or vice versa.

    Nothing says that they will be enough to land either player, but it should put the Lakers in the running for both.

    Oh, and Dwight likes the Lakers. Asked which All-Star he would most like to play with last season, he answered “Kobe Bryant.”

[snively]

I can't see the Clips being a major Howard suitor if they offer DeAndre Jordan a big contract this offseason.

I think New York, the Nets, the Cs and maybe the Rockets are the most likely players.

[Roy H.]

How about this rumor.  Lakers are going after both Howard and Paul:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33582541

From Mark Heisler, who covered the Lakers as a beat writer before taking up with SheridanHoops.com:

    When the NBA couldn’t get a full ban on sign-and-trades, it left his Lakers in position to pull off a coup they’re dreaming of, which would make signing LeBron James pale by comparison.

    If Dwight Howard and Chris Paul wind up on the market — a safe assumption as far as I’m concerned — the Lakers could offer Andrew Bynum for Dwight and Pau Gasol for CP3, or vice versa.

    Nothing says that they will be enough to land either player, but it should put the Lakers in the running for both.

    Oh, and Dwight likes the Lakers. Asked which All-Star he would most like to play with last season, he answered “Kobe Bryant.”

Bynum arguably would be enough for Howard, but I don't think the Hornets would have much interest in Gasol.  There would have to be a 3-way deal there.

[rondohondo]

How about this rumor.  Lakers are going after both Howard and Paul:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33582541

From Mark Heisler, who covered the Lakers as a beat writer before taking up with SheridanHoops.com:

    When the NBA couldn’t get a full ban on sign-and-trades, it left his Lakers in position to pull off a coup they’re dreaming of, which would make signing LeBron James pale by comparison.

    If Dwight Howard and Chris Paul wind up on the market — a safe assumption as far as I’m concerned — the Lakers could offer Andrew Bynum for Dwight and Pau Gasol for CP3, or vice versa.

    Nothing says that they will be enough to land either player, but it should put the Lakers in the running for both.

    Oh, and Dwight likes the Lakers. Asked which All-Star he would most like to play with last season, he answered “Kobe Bryant.”

this is a bunch of lakers nonsense. Why in the world would Orlando take only Bynum( who has major injury concerncs )straight up for Howard?

and NO is going to trade a top 10 NBA player for an aging llama ? nah I don't buy it at all

[clover]

David Aldridge on NBA TV said that if he were Otis Smith then he would pick up the phone and ask about doing a Howard for Griffin + Kaman trade

50/50 id say

Howard isnt going to stay in Orlando, So their best bet is to defintley trade him and bring assets back in return.

Im not really interested in Orlando's team shape up, Im more concerned about the Celtics at this moment

But if the C's put their best offer out there and Howard prefers Boston to the Clips--the ball is in the big guy's hands.

[action781]

I can't see the Clips being a major Howard suitor if they offer DeAndre Jordan a big contract this offseason.

I think New York, the Nets, the Cs and maybe the Rockets are the most likely players.

I don't rule out a trade to Lakers and also Orlando.  I think he's a pretty good guy, wants to be thought of as a good guy, and worries about media/fan backlash.

[GreenFaith1819]

C'mon, Dwight!

Who would NOT want to play with Rondo?

[action781]

Hold on a sec...  Clippers could easily pull of getting CP3 AND Dwight in free agency next year.

Next summer, Kaman comes off the books.  They could amnesty Mo Williams and still have Eric Gordon + Blake Griffin + Gomes + Aminu + Bledsoe all for just $16M.  CP3 and Dwight could both sign max deals and that would be an absolute stud lineup.  Heck, they could actually not amnesty Mo Williams for an awesome combo guard 6th man or give Jordan that contract for some very good frontcourt depth if the 2 stars would come for slightly less than max.

I think that's a pretty scary scenario and should make sense for Dwight and CP3.  Big market, definite contender.

[Roy H.]

Hold on a sec...  Clippers could easily pull of getting CP3 AND Dwight in free agency next year.

Next summer, Kaman comes off the books.  They could amnesty Mo Williams and still have Eric Gordon + Blake Griffin + Gomes + Aminu + Bledsoe all for just $16M.  CP3 and Dwight could both sign max deals and that would be an absolute stud lineup.  Heck, they could actually not amnesty Mo Williams for an awesome combo guard 6th man or give Jordan that contract for some very good frontcourt depth if the 2 stars would come for slightly less than max.

I think that's a pretty scary scenario and should make sense for Dwight and CP3.  Big market, definite contender.

I think Gordon is a restricted free agent; I can't see him playing for his QO.  Other than that, if they dumped Williams it looks like it could work.

[bruinsandceltics]

Not worried about the Lakers at all in the DH12 sweepstakes.

Much more worried about the Clippers than the Lakers.

Either way, Danny knows he has to put out his best offer and see what happens even if the Magic say no. But if they really wanted to go after Howard, it would be hard for the Magic to say no to Rondo+ when they know he is going to leave.

[action781]

Hold on a sec...  Clippers could easily pull of getting CP3 AND Dwight in free agency next year.

Next summer, Kaman comes off the books.  They could amnesty Mo Williams and still have Eric Gordon + Blake Griffin + Gomes + Aminu + Bledsoe all for just $16M.  CP3 and Dwight could both sign max deals and that would be an absolute stud lineup.  Heck, they could actually not amnesty Mo Williams for an awesome combo guard 6th man or give Jordan that contract for some very good frontcourt depth if the 2 stars would come for slightly less than max.

I think that's a pretty scary scenario and should make sense for Dwight and CP3.  Big market, definite contender.

I think Gordon is a restricted free agent; I can't see him playing for his QO.  Other than that, if they dumped Williams it looks like it could work.

Good call!

[clover]

Not worried about the Lakers at all in the DH12 sweepstakes.

Much more worried about the Clippers than the Lakers.

Either way, Danny knows he has to put out his best offer and see what happens even if the Magic say no. But if they really wanted to go after Howard, it would be hard for the Magic to say no to Rondo+ when they know he is going to leave.

Danny may rightly have figured that his best chance with both DH and CP is to strike now, with deals that would be satisfactory to both teams and both players.  Next year's free agency could be more doubtful and more expensive for the C's--and the C's would have fewer chips to offer in trade.