Would you rent Dwight Howard?

[Moranis]

Say Orlando decides to unload Dwight and say Dwight refuses to sign an extension with any team (so the Lakers offer of Bynum is off the table since they aren't giving up Bynum for a rental).

Would you give up Rondo for Dwight?  Would Orlando get a better offer when it is clear it is a rental?

Say this is the trade offer - Do you do this, knowing Dwight may very well leave after the season? 

Boston - Howard
Orlando - Rondo, O'Neal, 1st (maybe both this year or a future 1st)


What about this version

Boston - Howard, Redick (rumor has it Nelson and Howard don't get along that well, so I wouldn't want Nelson)
Orlando - Rondo, O'Neal, Wilcox, Johnson, 1st (maybe both this year or a future 1st)


2nd trade would give Boston the following lineup
PG - Bradley, Redick, Dooling
SG - Allen, Redick, Daniels, Moore
SF - Pierce, Pietrus
PF - Garnett, Bass
C - Howard, Garnett, Stiemsa

Clearly the team is a bit light in the depth department down low, but that looks like a team that may very well be the favorites in the East (certainly would have a great shot at beating Miami and Chicago).  And you could probably still get some depth down low in the free agent market or by moving Dooling and Daniels for someone with more long term salary (heck maybe you take Petro and a 1st from New Jersey, as an example).


In the off season you still have enough room to offer Dwight a max and sign Deron Williams so you hope you can convince them that Boston is the right place (a bit easier if you win the title this year).  If that doesn't work, then you just start over.  You move Pierce, you don't waste cap space on lesser players (like the Pistons did), and you just be bad and hope you get the high picks in the right draft and get that next franchise builder.

[Who]

If Deron Williams is still going to be available in free agency in the summer (read: hasn't been traded to a team where he'll sign and extension), then yes, I would rent Dwight Howard.

I'd feel confident about convincing Dwight to stay and Deron to join if Dwight spend the next 2-3 months here. Saw what Paul Pierce had to offer. The coaching staff. The front office and ownership. The traditions. The possibility of Ray and KG returning on minimal contracts next year. I think Danny can sell that -- so long as Deron Williams is part of the picture.

If Deron isn't part of the picture, no, I don't make this move because I don't think Danny can convince Dwight to stay. I would rather have Rondo for the next 7-8 years than 2-3 months of Dwight Howard.

[Who]

2nd trade would give Boston the following lineup
PG - Bradley, Redick, Dooling
SG - Allen, Redick, Daniels, Moore
SF - Pierce, Pietrus
PF - Garnett, Bass
C - Howard, Garnett, Stiemsa

I think you need to make a trade to bring in a quality PG. Moving JJ Redick (and possibily a first) would net a good return.

Or Dooling and a first, a lesser option but it might net Boston a good enough PG (Sessions?).

[huzy]

I think Orlando thinks highly enough of Jameer Nelson that they wouldn't view a return centered around Rondo as worthwhile.

This team is comfortably sitting at the 3 Seed in the East and are a game up on Miami in their season series.

The Eastern Conference Finals is not out of the question for the Magic and the Finals is a possibility.

This trade really expedites the rebuilding process in ORL. I think they're looking at Denver as the model and will hold out for a package that at least keeps them in the top 4 in the East this season.