Howard (player & GM)

[Eddie20]

According to Mike & Mike, Ric Bucher just reported that the Magic have promised Howard they would add an impact player by the deadline. And if he signs an extension Howard is free to decide the fate of both Van Gundy & Smith.

[WeMadeIt17]

lol crazy but light for us looks like its getting dimmer. Looks as if they will deal him or perhaps get a player that would keep him there. But who knows. I am hoping they slip up and can't finalize a deal come thur. And he sets up to be a Free Agent

[indeedproceed]

lol crazy but light for us looks like its getting dimmer. Looks as if they will deal him or perhaps get a player that would keep him there. But who knows. I am hoping they slip up and can't finalize a deal come thur. And he sets up to be a Free Agent

Highly doubt Howard (like Deron Williams) will do anything other than explore free-agency.

[Eddie20]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7678132/sources-orlando-magic-making-push-placate-dwight-howard

Magazine's Ric Bucher that the Magic have promised Howard that they will add a quality player before Thursday's deadline and that Howard can decide the fate of both GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy at the end of the season if he signs an extension. Bucks swingman Stephen Jackson, frustrated in Milwaukee, is available and sources say he and Howard have talked about playing together.

All indications are that Magic team president Alex Martins, not Smith, is presiding over attempts to keep Howard in Orlando.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yea , I just heard this on TV too.  

I do believe as I have stated before, the owner (one foot in the grave) is totally incharge of releasing DH.   He is on his last run, money , embrassment , ect doesn't matter, he don't want to go out and regret and think he didn't everything in the world possible to keep DH.

Basketball common sence says you trade him to get as much possible to avoid the LBJ repeat. But, this is personal for the owner. Logic like the LBJ situation goes out the door. Losing the money doesn't mattter to them.

But, the owner doesn't have the years left to watch this team go though another rebuild from draft. Money and conventional wisdom is out the door. I believe he would replace SMith or JVG if DH asked him to.  Howard is more important than Otis and Jeff to  Orlando's NBA team.

I still think the only close deal in terms of pure trade value is with LA for Bynum +Gasol . The owner is stuborn....old folks are that way.

I expect DH to decide his fate as a free agent .

[35Lewis]

The more stories I read about Dwight and the more quotes he gives make me want him less and less.  It's sad that the players have this much control nowadays.  He's backing Orlando into a corner much like Lebron did with Cleveland, so they are forced to make horrible trades in order to try and win it all to keep them happy.

If these guys would let the management slowly build the core of the team (like Durant in OKC), then they would have an exciting team for years to come.  Granted Smith is certainly no Presti and has often times looked more like Isaiah.

[Moranis]

Yea , I just heard this on TV too.  

I do believe as I have stated before, the owner (one foot in the grave) is totally incharge of releasing DH.   He is on his last run, money , embrassment , ect doesn't matter, he don't want to go out and regret and think he didn't everything in the world possible to keep DH.

Basketball common sence says you trade him to get as much possible to avoid the LBJ repeat. But, this is personal for the owner. Logic like the LBJ situation goes out the door. Losing the money doesn't mattter to them.

But, the owner doesn't have the years left to watch this team go though another rebuild from draft. Money and conventional wisdom is out the door. I believe he would replace SMith or JVG if DH asked him to.  Howard is more important than Otis and Jeff to  Orlando's NBA team.

I still think the only close deal in terms of pure trade value is with LA for Bynum +Gasol . The owner is stuborn....old folks are that way.

I expect DH to decide his fate as a free agent .

The Cavs traded Lebron to the Heat.  They got a 2011 2nd round pick (Milan Macvan), a 2012 2nd round pick, a 2013 protected 1st, a 2015 protected 1st, and a 14.5 trade exception (which they didn't use).  

Certainly no where near what they could have received had they traded him during the season, but not nothing either.

[indeedproceed]

The more stories I read about Dwight and the more quotes he gives make me want him less and less.  It's sad that the players have this much control nowadays.  He's backing Orlando into a corner much like Lebron did with Cleveland, so they are forced to make horrible trades in order to try and win it all to keep them happy.

Why shouldn't Dwight Howard be able to control where he wants to play? From the moment players are drafted, they're 'told' where they are going to play. So when Dwight gets a free-agency opportunity, why shouldn't he be entitled to work something out?

He's told them he'll stay if they can get some talent around him. That's more than LeBron gave Cleveland.

If these guys would let the management slowly build the core of the team (like Durant in OKC), then they would have an exciting team for years to come.  Granted Smith is certainly no Presti and has often times looked more like Isaiah.

Dwight Howard has been in Orlando for 7 years. That's 7 years for Otis Smith to find him a second star who he could pair next to Howard.

The best he ever did was a motivated Turkoglu and a still-in his prime-Rashard Lewis.

Just because Otis Smith is 'trying' doesn't mean Howard owes him anything. I don't think there is anything wrong with how Howard is handling this, aside from him not demanding a trade to Boston for expiring contracts.

[Moranis]

The more stories I read about Dwight and the more quotes he gives make me want him less and less.  It's sad that the players have this much control nowadays.  He's backing Orlando into a corner much like Lebron did with Cleveland, so they are forced to make horrible trades in order to try and win it all to keep them happy.

If these guys would let the management slowly build the core of the team (like Durant in OKC), then they would have an exciting team for years to come.  Granted Smith is certainly no Presti and has often times looked more like Isaiah.

The thing is, Orlando and Cleveland both had plenty of time to build a legit team around their star.  In fact both teams made the NBA finals and then decided to tinker with the lineup they had rather than making smart long term basketball decisions.  Neither team made it back to the finals after the tinkering began and both blew lottery picks right the drafts after they landed their star.  Cleveland took Luke Jackson in 2004 and didn't have the lottery pick in 2005 from a 1997 trade.  Orlando took Fran Vasquez (who never played in the NBA) in 2005 and then did ok with JJ Redick in 2006.  Cleveland also had that debacle with Boozer after James' rookie year.  

If you were James and Howard and you witnessed terrible move after terrible move, what would you do?  How many years do you have to give a franchise before you realize they don't know what they are doing and look to move on to brighter pastures?  Now at least Orlando brought in a new basketball man before Howard's contract is up.  Perhaps this new guy will show Howard he knows what he is doing and convince him that things are different now, but he has a lot of work to do.

[SHAQATTACK]

If Otis Smith was ..really in charge of DH future ... I'm sure the DH would have been an LA Laker long ago.

And I still think , Mitch has done very little to help the Lakers ...becasue he is saving Bynum & Pau as trade should the owner of the Magic have last minute change or heart. ( I'm doubtful)  

Thing is Otis can trade anybody but DH. Magic is just full of bad contracts and nobody wants to help them out.

I do think , IF DH is not retained , then Otis Smith is history, his job security probally relies on DH staying, and Smith has failed miserably trying to do his job.

I see JVG staying , even when DH and Otis are gone.  

[indeedproceed]

I see JVG staying , even when DH and Otis are gone. 

I'm sure you meant SVG, and I agree. Ol Ron Jeremy is probably just salivating at the chance to be in a George Karl situation. Low expectations, and hopefully some talent to mold that isn't concentrated in one single position.

[jgod213]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7678132/sources-orlando-magic-making-push-placate-dwight-howard

Magazine's Ric Bucher that the Magic have promised Howard that they will add a quality player before Thursday's deadline and that Howard can decide the fate of both GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy at the end of the season if he signs an extension. Bucks swingman Stephen Jackson, frustrated in Milwaukee, is available and sources say he and Howard have talked about playing together.

All indications are that Magic team president Alex Martins, not Smith, is presiding over attempts to keep Howard in Orlando.

Haha, Rich Bucher reporting that Stephen Jackson wants out of Milwakee and would enjoy playing with Dwight Howard - that's quite the hot sports take.

I'm sure that would keep Dwight around...just stick another over-the-hill swingman having the worst season of his career on Howard's wing.

[Eddie20]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7678132/sources-orlando-magic-making-push-placate-dwight-howard

Magazine's Ric Bucher that the Magic have promised Howard that they will add a quality player before Thursday's deadline and that Howard can decide the fate of both GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy at the end of the season if he signs an extension. Bucks swingman Stephen Jackson, frustrated in Milwaukee, is available and sources say he and Howard have talked about playing together.

All indications are that Magic team president Alex Martins, not Smith, is presiding over attempts to keep Howard in Orlando.

Haha, Rich Bucher reporting that Stephen Jackson wants out of Milwakee and would enjoy playing with Dwight Howard - that's quite the hot sports take.

I'm sure that would keep Dwight around...just stick another over-the-hill swingman having the worst season of his career on Howard's wing.

They're good friends and want to play together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlCOii0tS9E&feature=player_embedded#!

[bostonpatriot]

What's the purpose of this? To hurt Howard's popularity? His reputation?

Howard should leave Orlando for the sole reason the organization wasn't smart enough to fire Otis Smith a couple of years ago.

[indeedproceed]

What's the purpose of this? To hurt Howard's popularity? His reputation?

This isn't a PR firm. Not everyone who has an opinion also has an agenda.