Celtics & Rockets discussing Howard trade

[Eddie20]

http://m.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/isola-point-knicks-backcourt-article-1.2518414


Meanwhile, the Celtics have engaged the Houston Rockets in talks about a possible deal for Dwight Howard, the Daily News has learned. Howard can opt out of his contract this summer, and considering his back and knee issues, it doesn’t make much sense for Boston GM Danny Ainge to use the assets on a player with declining skills and a battered body.

Boston, which either owns or controls the Brooklyn Nets’ next three first-round picks, are positioned to make a major move either before the trade deadline or this summer around the draft. Another division rival, Toronto, owns the Knicks’ pick.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Speculation much? 

[moiso]

I'm not sure how I feel about acquiring Howard.  If Ainge thinks he can also get another good player to add, maybe it would be ok.  I'm not crazy about going from a young, up and coming team with tons of good seasons on the horizon to a team built around an older, partially broken down player.  Plus I'd prefer to keep players that I don't like off the Celtics.

[Tr1boy]

This must be a joke

Unless rockets are OK with Sullinger, Lee, 1st(non lottto)and 2nd

[Who]

This must be a joke

Unless rockets are OK with Sullinger, Lee, 1st(non lottto)and 2nd

I expect it is something like that. I don't think Ainge will put the Brooklyn pick on the table for Dwight Howard given his physical problems and declining contributions.

[straightouttabahstun]

No way. I like Brad Stevens. We don't need Dwight messing things up over here.

[chambers]

I wonder what gets it done.
They'd probably want Amir (for a playoff run) and 2 first round picks at a minimum.
Amir+Jerebko+
16' Boston pick
16' Dallas pick

is the very minimum.
Dwight's got another year on his deal and I doubt he opts out.
Would be an amazing defensive upgrade for us and Kelly could start at PF without too much worry with Dwight behind him.

Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Olynyk
Dwight

Brutal defensive lineup with some good 3 point shooting.

[tarheelsxxiii]

What's the worst that could happen? 

I actually believe the source, as it made its way onto hoopshype.

[Dino Pitino]

I'm not sure how I feel about acquiring Howard.  If Ainge thinks he can also get another good player to add, maybe it would be ok.  I'm not crazy about going from a young, up and coming team with tons of good seasons on the horizon to a team built around an older, partially broken down player.  Plus I'd prefer to keep players that I don't like off the Celtics.

Whoa, the team wouldn't be "built" around him, he'd just be anchoring the defense. He's still very good at that. It's what we need most, rim protection and defensive rebounding. As long as we don't give up any of Smart/Bradley/Crowder/Olynyk/Amir, our already elite defense would be subtracting nothing and adding Howard at center. If it's a rental, I'd expect to only give away non-Nets picks and contract filler. Sign me up.

[Tr1boy]

This must be a joke

Unless rockets are OK with Sullinger, Lee, 1st(non lottto)and 2nd

I expect it is something like that. I don't think Ainge will put the Brooklyn pick on the table for Dwight Howard given his physical problems and declining contributions.

Maybe even less than that

Sullinger, Lee and 2 2nds

Can't see a 1st going the other way

[chambers]

This must be a joke

Unless rockets are OK with Sullinger, Lee, 1st(non lottto)and 2nd

I expect it is something like that. I don't think Ainge will put the Brooklyn pick on the table for Dwight Howard given his physical problems and declining contributions.

Maybe even less than that

Sullinger, Lee and 2 2nds

Can't see a 1st going the other way

Howard has been excellent for them this year and without him last year, there is absolutely no way they make the Western Conference finals. He was playing with a bad back all playoffs too and was still very good.

Sully, Lee and 2 2nd's? Cmon triboy don't insult them because you hate Howard.
It's going to take two first round picks and Amir Johnson+Jerebko at absolute minimum- probably some young guys too.

[Jon]

As others have said, it really depends on the price. If it didn't include Brooklyn picks, Smart, Thomas, and preferably not Crowder, Bradley, and Olynyk, it makes a ton of sense. Having Howard, Thomas, Smart, and whoever the Brooklyn pick yields would be a great way to pitch free agents.

[Dino Pitino]

I wonder what gets it done.
They'd probably want Amir (for a playoff run) and 2 first round picks at a minimum.
Amir+Jerebko+
16' Boston pick
16' Dallas pick

is the very minimum.
Dwight's got another year on his deal and I doubt he opts out.
Would be an amazing defensive upgrade for us and Kelly could start at PF without too much worry with Dwight behind him.

Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Olynyk
Dwight

Brutal defensive lineup with some good 3 point shooting.

If they trade Howard, they can forget about a playoff run longer than Round One. No reason for them to insist on Amir, they should be okay with Lee as the contract, especially if they're getting two 1sts for a rental.

But he's definitely going to opt out. No way he'll pass up the opportunity to seek the new max for however many years some team desperate to make news will give him.

That lineup, tho! We'd have a chance to upset the Cavs with that defense. Olynyk isn't a liability, he's a plus on defense, just not in the dominate-the-boards or swat-layups kind of way.

[chambers]

I wonder what gets it done.
They'd probably want Amir (for a playoff run) and 2 first round picks at a minimum.
Amir+Jerebko+
16' Boston pick
16' Dallas pick

is the very minimum.
Dwight's got another year on his deal and I doubt he opts out.
Would be an amazing defensive upgrade for us and Kelly could start at PF without too much worry with Dwight behind him.

Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Olynyk
Dwight

Brutal defensive lineup with some good 3 point shooting.

If they trade Howard, they can forget about a playoff run longer than Round One. No reason for them to insist on Amir, they should be okay with Lee as the contract, especially if they're getting two 1sts for a rental.

But he's definitely going to opt out. No way he'll pass up the opportunity to seek the new max for however many years some team desperate to make news will give him.

That lineup, tho! We'd have a chance to upset the Cavs with that defense. Olynyk isn't a liability, he's a plus on defense, just not in the dominate-the-boards or swat-layups kind of way.

They'd try and get to the 2nd round with Harden steering the ship. They'd want Amir because his salary is a good asset and he fills the gap that Howard leaves. Even if they bring Amir off the bench and start Capella they'd still have a crack at it.
But I'm sure they'd want Amir from an asset standpoint.

[Tr1boy]

This must be a joke

Unless rockets are OK with Sullinger, Lee, 1st(non lottto)and 2nd

I expect it is something like that. I don't think Ainge will put the Brooklyn pick on the table for Dwight Howard given his physical problems and declining contributions.

Maybe even less than that

Sullinger, Lee and 2 2nds

Can't see a 1st going the other way

Howard has been excellent for them this year and without him last year, there is absolutely no way they make the Western Conference finals. He was playing with a bad back all playoffs too and was still very good.

Sully, Lee and 2 2nd's? Cmon triboy don't insult them because you hate Howard.
It's going to take two first round picks and Amir Johnson+Jerebko at absolute minimum- probably some young guys too.

Danny is not dumb

Howard is not in the rockets long term plans, especially with his declining health

Lee and Sullinger. Maybe a non lotto 1st or 2 high 2nds