If Howard hits the trading block

[Hemingway]

Ok, we all don't like him. I'll just get that out of the way first so that we don't have the first 5 replies being "I don't like him, pass" But he does have size you just can't teach and would be the rim protector we need.

If the rockets want to move him, could we make an offer that they would take and that wouldn't get rid of players that are helping us win now?

Looking at the money, Lee and Zeller works for Howard. Could it be as easy as Lee Zeller and pick(s)?

Maybe a better question is, what other teams would want Howard and what could they offer?


Howard/Sully
Amir/KO
Crowder/JJ
AB/Smart
IT/Turner

that might be enough to make us a dark horse contender this year.
 

[obnoxiousmime]

I think a team like Washington or Charlotte would make sense. It would have to be a team that is looking to win now and could use the publicity a Howard signing would create. Washington might think Howard on the roster would better help them recruit Durant this offseason. Charlotte as we all know just wants to be in the playoffs and are not concerned with building the "right way."

Indiana might be a possibility, but I don't think they'd take the risk of Dwight leaving after a half-season. It doesn't really fit their philosophy either.

I know they're rivals but what about Dallas? Might as well go big for Nowitzki's last few seasons. Ohmigod Carlisle would probably lose his mind.

[Clench123]

As long as we don't give up Brooklyn's pick, Smart, or Bay, I'm totally fine with it.  So yea...it's impossible.  And yea, I don't like him.

[Csfan1984]

I don't see Howard leaving maybe they should focus on upgrading their bench and giving Harden some relief. Load up on 3pt threats to space things for Howard and Harden.

[Surferdad]

Houston would not do it as Lee and Zeller have very little trade value.  I could see Lee going to a contender that wants front court insurance for the stretch run, but that's about it.

However, there is a more fundamental issue here: Why should the C's give up valuable assets like picks for a rim protector with limited offensive capability?  I actually feel that the C's front court is fine with Amir, Sully, Olynyk. The Celtics need a scoring wing.

[Moranis]

I think something like that this might work for all teams involved

Boston - Howard
Chicago - Zeller, Jerekbo, Dal 1st
Houston - Johnson, Noah, Bos 1st, Min 1st, PHI 2nd

Boston gets a clear upgrade for picks it doesn't really need and players that will all likely be gone after the season.  Chicago saves money, gets two younger players, and a 1st for a guy they are looking to move and is expiring.  Houston gets two quality veterans allowing them to stay relevant (and without much long term money tied up), as well as some picks for their aging star. 

[manl_lui]

I think something like that this might work for all teams involved

Boston - Howard
Chicago - Zeller, Jerekbo, Dal 1st
Houston - Johnson, Noah, Bos 1st, Min 1st, PHI 2nd

Boston gets a clear upgrade for picks it doesn't really need and players that will all likely be gone after the season.  Chicago saves money, gets two younger players, and a 1st for a guy they are looking to move and is expiring.  Houston gets two quality veterans allowing them to stay relevant (and without much long term money tied up), as well as some picks for their aging star.

I'm down with this trade

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think something like that this might work for all teams involved

Boston - Howard
Chicago - Zeller, Jerekbo, Dal 1st
Houston - Johnson, Noah, Bos 1st, Min 1st, PHI 2nd

Boston gets a clear upgrade for picks it doesn't really need and players that will all likely be gone after the season.  Chicago saves money, gets two younger players, and a 1st for a guy they are looking to move and is expiring.  Houston gets two quality veterans allowing them to stay relevant (and without much long term money tied up), as well as some picks for their aging star. 

So... when you mention "players that will all likely be gone after the season" are you including Howard in those projections? Because history dictates that the most likely scenario, so in the end you're giving up assets that can be used to secure something with more permanence and assets who you have complete control over all for a big half a season of maybe.

[mctyson]

Ok, we all don't like him. I'll just get that out of the way first so that we don't have the first 5 replies being "I don't like him, pass" But he does have size you just can't teach and would be the rim protector we need.

If the rockets want to move him, could we make an offer that they would take and that wouldn't get rid of players that are helping us win now?

Looking at the money, Lee and Zeller works for Howard. Could it be as easy as Lee Zeller and pick(s)?

Maybe a better question is, what other teams would want Howard and what could they offer?


Howard/Sully
Amir/KO
Crowder/JJ
AB/Smart
IT/Turner

that might be enough to make us a dark horse contender this year.

I actually like the concept of Howard on this team.  He fits a definite need, is not on a long contract but is controlled for one more season, and becomes a massive expiring next year.

Just not sure how that deal gets done with our players and picks.  No way you give up a Brooklyn 1st for 1.5 years of Dwight Howard.

[Smitty77]

Why don't we just trade for Noah for a LOT less?  He fits our offense much better since he is an outstanding passer.

Smitty77

[saltlover]

I think something like that this might work for all teams involved

Boston - Howard
Chicago - Zeller, Jerekbo, Dal 1st
Houston - Johnson, Noah, Bos 1st, Min 1st, PHI 2nd

Boston gets a clear upgrade for picks it doesn't really need and players that will all likely be gone after the season.  Chicago saves money, gets two younger players, and a 1st for a guy they are looking to move and is expiring.  Houston gets two quality veterans allowing them to stay relevant (and without much long term money tied up), as well as some picks for their aging star.

I think Chicago is getting way too much for Noah in that deal.  Two useful players on good contracts (non-guaranteed next year and a restricted free agent) a decent-to-good 1st, and drops them completely out of the luxury tax.  Saves them $10 million in salaries and lux tax if done today.  For an expiring player who's hurt and underperforming.  They'd call no takebacks the second it was offered.

[LilRip]

i would love to get D12 provided he guarantees signing in the offseason/an extension. i think he'd be terrific in the P&R, a great target for dump-offs, and would make us one of the best defenses in the league. Smart-Crowder-Howard would be awfully tough to score against.

On the personality side, i don't think D12 is a leader. Instead, he strikes me as someone who would embody the culture he's playing in. The problem with Orl was that they tried to make him a leader, which was obviously a disaster. The problem with LA was he couldn't take playing with Kobe. The problem with Hou right now is Harden's laziness. I think Boston has strong leadership in DA and CBS, and players seem to genuinely like playing for each other.

[sdceltsfan]

Depending on the cost, why not?

If Houston wants to get anything back, they have to field offers. A swap with Chicago for Noah would be probably the best player-centric trade for the Rockets. However, if they are just looking for a re-build, recognizing that either combination of Harden/Howard Harden/Noah isn't going to get them far in the WC, then Boston is the team to talk to as far as stacking some picks.

Brooklyn picks are obviously all out of the question. But I honestly have no issue in taking the gamble of sending them Lee's expiring, Jerebeko, our own first rounder (late teens/early twenties), and a couple 2nd rounders for Howard.

Worst case scenario, is Howard acts like a baby/sucks. The team is winning without the help of Lee/Jerebeko, so we can embarrass the hell out of Howard by benching him all season, if he acts like a little girl.

HOWEVER

His body-type and playing style is truly the missing piece for this team. Howard coming to Boston would also give him the opportunity to become "the man" if he so choses and has that ability to. If there's any coach who could get the most out of him, I think Stevens has a shot at it.

We are all talking about drafting either a rim-protector or a scoring wing. Other than Simmons or Labissiere, there isn't any "sure thing" type player coming up in this draft. So having Howard will at least allow for us to just take the BPA, assuming we don't get lucky and land that #1/#2 pick.

Is his contract a player or team option for next season? It would be nice to have him for next year, even if as one of the most amazing expiring contracts of the last decade if he's not a fit. But honestly, if it only costs us Lee and Jerebeko and a couple of picks, it's worth the risk. We won't even be able to roster all these draft picks if we keep them all. I think this is a gamble worth taking!

[Celtics4ever]

 I think Howard is fool's gold.   He is now injury prone but everywhere he has went he blames the place instead of himself for short comings.   He would be an upgrade for us.   But he is not a solid locker room guy.

[tyrone biggums]

I think Howard is fool's gold.   He is now injury prone but everywhere he has went he blames the place instead of himself for short comings.   He would be an upgrade for us.   But he is not a solid locker room guy.

We have pretty good locker room guys. Dwight has had some success in the playoffs. Boston can't be choosy on what started wants to come here. Whoever comes in knows that Ainge will side with CBS on any matter.