Celtics & Rockets discussing Howard trade

[chambers]

Bulpett has this penchant for 'shutting down' rumors.

I guess if 99% of rumors don't come true then your odds are much better at guessing correctly that they won't come true vs guessing the 1% that do actually happen.

Morey and Ainge being buddies, hopefully they'll get something done.
Wouldn't surprise me if Morey is asking for Olynyk, a future Brooklyn pick, and Amir Johnson.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Bulpett has this penchant for 'shutting down' rumors.

I guess if 99% of rumors don't come true then your odds are much better at guessing correctly that they won't come true vs guessing the 1% that do actually happen.

Morey and Ainge being buddies, hopefully they'll get something done.
Wouldn't surprise me if Morey is asking for Olynyk, a future Brooklyn pick, and Amir Johnson.

NO

[PhoSita]

If that's the ask, I'd counter with Sullinger, Amir, a non-Brooklyn 1st, and a non-Philly 2nd.  I think Daryl would have a hard time doing better than that.

[Rosco917]

I feel Howard, who is starting to decline, and at this stage of his career will be looking for a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs. I'm not sure our young Celtics team fits the bill in his eyes. Getting him for 1 year, and loosing him next year doesn't really thrill me. For that reason trading Sully, who I don't feel we will sign here anyway, Lee, Amir, and a few lower level picks wouldn't be the end of the world.

I'd much rather get a younger center that we can maybe keep for 2-3 years and develop.

[crimson_stallion]

if Ainge trades any of the BKN picks and/or Smart for Dwight Howard he will lose all credibility as an intelligent business man.

People have said many similar things about Danny in recent times, but somehow he always seems to find a way to prove people wrong.

How many people were downright depressed by what we got back in the Rondo trade?  Very few people see that as a bad move now.

Knowing Ainge he would make that trade of Smart and 2018 Nets pick - Smart would end up peaking as a decent starting PG but not much more (e.g. Jameer Nelson), and the Nets make big signings this free agency to become a fringe playoff team so that the 2018 pick lands at 18th...meanwhile Dwight transforms Boston into the best defense in the league and helps lead us to the ECF where we take Clevleand to 7 games, leaving free agents crawling at Ainge's feet after the season.

 

[crimson_stallion]

I feel Howard, who is starting to decline, and at this stage of his career will be looking for a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs. I'm not sure our young Celtics team fits the bill in his eyes.

I'm not so sure on that.

Boston has been hovering around the #5 seed for most of the season, is currently stuck in a tiebreaker with Atlanta for the #3 seed, and has been playing very well heading in to the All-Star break (as we did last year).

If this streak of good play keeps going (as it did last year) there a very decent chance we finish the season as a top 3 seed and actually get some home court advantage in the playoffs. 

Honestly, I think Cleveland is the only team in the East that really scares this Celtic team.  If we face them in the playoffs I don't think we have much chance...but any other team is fair game.  Even Toronto, good as they are, would I think have a VERY tough time knocking off this Celtics team out in a 7 game series.

I think this Celtics team could go further then people think in the playoffs.  The Raptors and Cavs are serisouly the only two teams in the conference that are CLEARLY better than us, and there are really only 6 teams in the entire league (Cleveland, Toronto, Golden State, San Antonio, OKC, Clippers) who are clearly a step above us.

[Big333223]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14708153/houston-rockets-do-not-plan-trade-dwight-howard

So this makes both sides denying any talks. So there's that.

[Cman]

I can't imagine the Cs giving up much for a player who can opt out this summer, and I can't imagine the Rockets taking a poo-poo platter just for the sake of it.

I think this is one of those "kick the tires" type trade talks, and might make it a bit more likely that the Cs are able to sign Howard this offseason. Unlikely, of course, but a bit more likely.

[iadera]

For a small cost, why not?! I don't see him as a player we would built around, just one very,very good piece at the rim. That would be a hell of a job, especially if we bring another star in summer and try to sign Howard for a smaller amount. If we would be a serious contender, I don't see him refusing that chance. That's probably Danny's plan with DH as well.

[GreenFaith1819]

Dwight is no KG at this point and never was, but STILL he could help this team if Danny could get him for right price.

My "right" price would be considering how banged up he's been...please Danny don't trade the Farm for him.

I'd love him in Green.

[iadera]

Lee, Sully and 2 picks (non Brooklyn) would be just fine. 

[chambers]

If that's the ask, I'd counter with Sullinger, Amir, a non-Brooklyn 1st, and a non-Philly 2nd.  I think Daryl would have a hard time doing better than that.

It probably depends on how serious Danny is about keeping Howard around after he opts out.
If he is willing to spend big money (not max, but BIG money) on Howard, and Morey knows this, then he may hold out.

Personally I'd love to see Olynyk out there with Howard, surrounding Dwight with shooters and giving him the defensive front line he needs to make his job defending the rim and rebounding easier.

[Birdman]

If he agrees to not opt out, then I go after him but if he don't agree than I pass..

[Birdman]

But I rather have Al Horford than Howard..Seems like everywhere Howard goes, theres trouble

[CroCorvus]

Hope it's a smoke screen or a three way...