BLOCKBUSTER TRADE Howard, Bynum, Iguodala (ESPN confirming its done)

[celtsfan84]

How can they not give up Pau? How? The Lakers get these absurd trades every single time, every single year, it's **** nonsense.

They would've never given up both Pau and Bynum.  You are dreaming.

Why would they make their team worse?  The Lakers aren't stupid.  You really think two top 5-10 big men is the price for the top big man?  No way were the Lakers ever going to do that.

The point is that other teams don't have to be stupid enough to play along, and that the Lakers gave up surprisingly little to land Howard.  I mean, seriously, Bynum and the 28th pick for Howard?  It's the Gasol heist all over again.

Not really. Bynum is an All-Star, averaged 19-12, and is arguably the second best center in the NBA.

They dealt the second best center in the NBA for the best center in the NBA.

They won the trade, no doubt, but the Gasol trade comnparison is going way overboard.

When did Bynum become Ryan Hollins?

Let's pretend this is a two-team trade.

If you were Orlando's GM, would you trade Dwight Howard and Jason Richardson for  Andrew Bynum, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, and 3 late first-round draft picks?

I wouldn't.

I absolutely would. My problem with the trade has nothing to do with the talent involved and everything to do with how none of that talent went to Orlando.

I would too.  I suppose you think letting him leave for nothing is a great option?

[KCattheStripe]

Celtics need to find another high level player to compete.

Someone who is a top 10/12 player at his position.

With how weak the 2 guard spot is in the NBA, it's not outrageous to think Bradley could become that guy.

[AB_Celtic]

Celtics need to find another high level player to compete.

Someone who is a top 10/12 player at his position.

Who? And what do we give up?

Bass, Bradley, Melo and picks for someone like K.Love? As I remember he isn't too happy in Minny.

Don't yell at me if it's a ridiculous suggestion 

[CelticsFan9]

How can they not give up Pau? How? The Lakers get these absurd trades every single time, every single year, it's **** nonsense.

They would've never given up both Pau and Bynum.  You are dreaming.

Why would they make their team worse?  The Lakers aren't stupid.  You really think two top 5-10 big men is the price for the top big man?  No way were the Lakers ever going to do that.

The point is that other teams don't have to be stupid enough to play along, and that the Lakers gave up surprisingly little to land Howard.  I mean, seriously, Bynum and the 28th pick for Howard?  It's the Gasol heist all over again.

Not really. Bynum is an All-Star, averaged 19-12, and is arguably the second best center in the NBA.

They dealt the second best center in the NBA for the best center in the NBA.

They won the trade, no doubt, but the Gasol trade comnparison is going way overboard.

When did Bynum become Ryan Hollins?

Let's pretend this is a two-team trade.

If you were Orlando's GM, would you trade Dwight Howard and Jason Richardson for  Andrew Bynum, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, and 3 late first-round draft picks?

I wouldn't.

I absolutely would. My problem with the trade has nothing to do with the talent involved and everything to do with how none of that talent went to Orlando.

The reason I wouldn't do it is because Vucevic and Harkless are unproven, those draft picks probably won't be that valuable, and while Bynum is the 2nd best center in the NBA, Afflalo doesn't make up the difference between Howard and Bynum.

An interesting thought:  what if Howard's back hampers him?  Back spasms are a serious thing, especially for centers.  If he doesn't respond well, then the Lakers might be in some trouble.

[fairweatherfan]

I have to imagine Orlando didn't get Bynum because he told them he wouldn't sign an extension there.  Only way that really makes sense, and it would explain why other teams were needed.

[Mencius]

How can they not give up Pau? How? The Lakers get these absurd trades every single time, every single year, it's **** nonsense.

They would've never given up both Pau and Bynum.  You are dreaming.

Why would they make their team worse?  The Lakers aren't stupid.  You really think two top 5-10 big men is the price for the top big man?  No way were the Lakers ever going to do that.

The point is that other teams don't have to be stupid enough to play along, and that the Lakers gave up surprisingly little to land Howard.  I mean, seriously, Bynum and the 28th pick for Howard?  It's the Gasol heist all over again.

Not really. Bynum is an All-Star, averaged 19-12, and is arguably the second best center in the NBA.

They dealt the second best center in the NBA for the best center in the NBA.

They won the trade, no doubt, but the Gasol trade comnparison is going way overboard.

When did Bynum become Ryan Hollins?

Sometimes mere rankings don't come close to telling the story.  I mean, there was Jordan, and then there was who at the other end of that chasm between #1 and #2, Drexler?  In some cases, just characterizing a trade as best at position vs second best can really minimizes the the lopsidedness of a trade. 

Nobody's saying that Bynum is Ryan Hollins.  Just that Howard is much better than Bynum, and that the Lakers got a steal for what they gave up.

[RebusRankin]

You couldn't pull a deal like that in the CB Draft. So sick of the Lakers getting these deals.

[Lightskinsmurf]

Celtics need to find another high level player to compete.

Someone who is a top 10/12 player at his position.

Who? And what do we give up?

Bass, Bradley, Melo and picks for someone like K.Love? As I remember he isn't too happy in Minny.

Don't yell at me if it's a ridiculous suggestion 

Why? To compete against a west team? Sorry to break it to you but until the celtics beat the heat the LAKERS don't matter!!

[celtsfan84]

How can they not give up Pau? How? The Lakers get these absurd trades every single time, every single year, it's **** nonsense.

They would've never given up both Pau and Bynum.  You are dreaming.

Why would they make their team worse?  The Lakers aren't stupid.  You really think two top 5-10 big men is the price for the top big man?  No way were the Lakers ever going to do that.

The point is that other teams don't have to be stupid enough to play along, and that the Lakers gave up surprisingly little to land Howard.  I mean, seriously, Bynum and the 28th pick for Howard?  It's the Gasol heist all over again.

Not really. Bynum is an All-Star, averaged 19-12, and is arguably the second best center in the NBA.

They dealt the second best center in the NBA for the best center in the NBA.

They won the trade, no doubt, but the Gasol trade comnparison is going way overboard.

When did Bynum become Ryan Hollins?

Let's pretend this is a two-team trade.

If you were Orlando's GM, would you trade Dwight Howard and Jason Richardson for  Andrew Bynum, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, and 3 late first-round draft picks?

I wouldn't.

I absolutely would. My problem with the trade has nothing to do with the talent involved and everything to do with how none of that talent went to Orlando.

The reason I wouldn't do it is because Vucevic and Harkless are unproven, those draft picks probably won't be that valuable, and while Bynum is the 2nd best center in the NBA, Afflalo doesn't make up the difference between Howard and Bynum.

An interesting thought:  what if Howard's back hampers him?  Back spasms are a serious thing, especially for centers.  If he doesn't respond well, then the Lakers might be in some trouble.

Dwight is a free agent at the end of the season.  If you wait for equal value, it will never come and you will end up with nothing for him as he leaves as a free agent.

Here are your choices: Bynum, Afflalo, and 3 1sts, Houston's offer, or absolutely nothing.  Don't act like Miami is suddenly going to offer LeBron.

[Lucky17]

Orlando blows it up for a rebuild, and Philly now sports an odd frontcourt of Bynum and Hawes.

I understand the Lakers get better here. But why the pity party? Seems like two conference competitors just got weaker.

[Ogaju]

I tried to tell you guys that the Lakers get the sweetest deals ALL the time. Someone tried to put up the Joe Barry Carroll deal as a heist. No it was not. That was a trade that worked out well for Boston. Lakers go out and outright steal players from other teams.

And folks should stop saying that Stern blocked the Chris Paul deal NO HE DID NOT!!!!

He approved the deal, the OWNERS that owned the Hornets at the time BLOCKED THE DEAL, not STERN.

Stern loves LA.

No, you're actually quite wrong.  Stern blocked the deal.  If Stern wanted it to go through, it would have and the owners would have had no recourse, legal or otherwise.

And three different front offices had to agree to this deal.  Philadelphia, Denver, and Orlando.  The conspiracy theories here are such nonsense.  Geez.  You people act like we're Charlotte.  Boston has had some good players too, you know.

You are wrong I dont know why people dont get this. The Paul deal was nixed by owners not Stern. Stern nixed it in his capacity as the owner's rep not in his capacity as the commissioner.

[celticmania]

wow i dont know if we will be able to beat the Lakers.....
...  this should motivate Ainge to get another all-star...

we should trade Fab Melo and Keyon Dooling for Kevin Love..... oh yea i forgot..... we're not the Lakers. we cant give up nothing and get an all-star.

this trade is WAY more lopsided. Ray Allen was like 33 years old. Howard is still in his prime and 1 of the most valuable if not the most valuable player in the NBA.

Delonte West, Wally Sczerbiak and Jeff Green for Ray Allen.

[AB_Celtic]

Celtics need to find another high level player to compete.

Someone who is a top 10/12 player at his position.

Who? And what do we give up?

Bass, Bradley, Melo and picks for someone like K.Love? As I remember he isn't too happy in Minny.

Don't yell at me if it's a ridiculous suggestion 

Why? To compete against a west team? Sorry to break it to you but until the celtics beat the heat the LAKERS don't matter!!

You can't tell me this wouldn't come in handy vs. LeBron:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsUJCpMJ8Gw

[CelticSooner]

@sam_gardner
Nice of Orlando to facilitate a trade that allows three other teams to get better while they lose the cornerstone of their franchise though

[JOMVP]

So sick of this garbage.

Even a 3rd grader would know what the Rockets offered the Magic was the best deal for them, a bunch of young players, a bunch of carapace, and a bunch of picks. Sounds like a done deal... oh, you just traded for Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Moe Harkless and three picks that are going to be in the upper 20's...

This has NBA traded Dwight Howard to the Lakers all over it. I guarantee you Stern stepped in and said, "Nope, Dwights going to LA, make it happen."

By the way, what is the Lakers payroll, like 200 million?