Celtics & Rockets discussing Howard trade

[Tr1boy]

What happened last season or if he was drafted number 1 overall has nothing to do with today

[csfansince60s]

I'm really torn here.

On the one hand, Howard fills some of our serious needs. He's a rim-protecting, defensive rebounding presence.

On the other, he can't shoot, so how does he fit in our current system?

The other concern is his contract. If he breaks down or craps out by not meshing with the team, we're on the hook for big $$$ next year. Granted, it would be a huge expiring, but the value of those does not seem to be what it once was.

If he plays well, he could be gone and get his last big, long contract.

Glad I'm not Danny. This is a tough one.

[Eddie20]

The timing of the report does make a ton of sense considering how we were in NY yesterday (the report is from NY Daily News' Frank Isola).

Howard has a player option, which he'll likely exercise in order to take advantage of the higher cap and get one last big contract. He's not in the Rockets plans and they're ready to give his spot to Capella.

As for value, Lee, a 1st rd pick (ours or Dallas') and maybe a 2nd (we have a boatload this summer) probably gets it done. Don't think Sullinger will be included because I don't think the Rockets will even ask for him. They already have Jones and Mojo and recently added Josh Smith. Not to mention that Lee would be part of the trade too.

[BudweiserCeltic]

My gripe with Howard, aside from my personal feelings about him, is... is he worth $30+ million going forward, and I don't think players necessarily want to play with him.

I think he can still be a force in this league though.

[JumpingJudkins]

On the other, he can't shoot, so how does he fit in our current system?

I'm assuming he would be replacing Sully in the lineup ... Sully with the .435 effective field goal percentage. How good does his shooting have to be?

Howard doesn't take shots he can't make (.608 eFG), except, you know, free throws.

[TheSundanceKid]

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.

At that price I say no to Howard then. The value of Amir and Jerebko is their non-guaranteed contract in the summer. I'm not letting that go for a guy who won't even resign with us. I can almost guarantee that!

[fairweatherfan]

If we're talking about Howard, I've gotta imagine we're lowballing like crazy. 

Even then it doesn't make much sense, except maybe as "look, we've got a name player already!" bait for free agents.

[ssspence]

If we're talking about Howard, I've gotta imagine we're lowballing like crazy. 

Even then it doesn't make much sense, except maybe as "look, we've got a name player already!" bait for free agents.

Why? He'd be a massive upgrade at center. Just because folks don't like him doesn't make him bad.

As for what he's worth, this:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=82298.msg2011585#msg2011585

[ssspence]

On the other, he can't shoot, so how does he fit in our current system?

Neither can Sully, but he's playing well. Neither can Smart, but he's playing well. Neither can Turner, but he's playing well. Neither can Amir, but he's playing well.

Glad I'm not Danny. This is a tough one.

I actually think this is an easy one. Low risk, high reward move. Cs desperately need a consolidation trade, and Howard will not command a very high value considering he's a rental.

The Cs can't take 8 guys in this summer's draft. They can't. They need to flip a couple of picks.

[fairweatherfan]

If we're talking about Howard, I've gotta imagine we're lowballing like crazy. 

Even then it doesn't make much sense, except maybe as "look, we've got a name player already!" bait for free agents.

Why? He'd be a massive upgrade at center. Just because folks don't like him doesn't make him bad.

As for what he's worth, this:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=82298.msg2011585#msg2011585

I agree he'd be a big upgrade - I'm not among the "he sucks" crowd.  But at this stage he's not enough to make us contenders and his contract cuts into our FA space, which Danny is supposedly averse to.  Or he opts out this offseason, we have a choice between him bolting town or tying up a ton of money in his next contract.  But the lowballing would be because of the possibility of him leaving in 3 months.

[YoungOne87]

I think it is worth a gamble.

lee+jerebko+dallas/our first+ some 2nds

The Olynyk+howard combo sounds enticing

or pair him with gay/gallinari and play like the stan van gundy magic

[ssspence]

If we're talking about Howard, I've gotta imagine we're lowballing like crazy. 

Even then it doesn't make much sense, except maybe as "look, we've got a name player already!" bait for free agents.

Why? He'd be a massive upgrade at center. Just because folks don't like him doesn't make him bad.

As for what he's worth, this:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=82298.msg2011585#msg2011585

I agree he'd be a big upgrade - I'm not among the "he sucks" crowd.  But at this stage he's not enough to make us contenders and his contract cuts into our FA space, which Danny is supposedly averse to.  Or he opts out this offseason, we have a choice between him bolting town or tying up a ton of money in his next contract.  But the lowballing would be because of the possibility of him leaving in 3 months.

You don't think adding Howard would make the Cavs a little nervous? We'd secure the 3 seed, we could beat Toronto, then... Who knows what can happen.

[chambers]

On the other, he can't shoot, so how does he fit in our current system?

Neither can Sully, but he's playing well. Neither can Smart, but he's playing well. Neither can Turner, but he's playing well. Neither can Amir, but he's playing well.

Glad I'm not Danny. This is a tough one.

I actually think this is an easy one. Low risk, high reward move. Cs desperately need a consolidation trade, and Howard will not command a very high value considering he's a rental.

The Cs can't take 8 guys in this summer's draft. They can't. They need to flip a couple of picks.

Well said. TP

envisioning Brad's line up of defensive hell with some three point shooting sprinkled in:

Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Olynyk
Howard

Dwight would just be a big upgrade over Amir. A starting 5 of

IT
Bradley
Crowder
Olynyk
Howard

would be a good chance to make the ECF and be big underdogs in the ECF.
I guess we've got to consolidate those picks somehow.

Here's the next step:
Crowder for Love
Sign Barnes.

IT
Bradley
Barnes
Love
Howard

Boom.

[Who]

I could definitely see Houston trading Dwight Howard. They are reportedly very high on Capela and view him as starting material at center.

If someone makes Houston a strong offer for Dwight, I think they'll deal him.

[chambers]

does anyone know if we dealt for Howard, and he opted out next year, can we re-sign him without his salary counting towards going 'over' the cap?
If a player opts out, does a team still retain bird rights?

Saltlover, where art thou?