Zach Lowe: C's "recoiled" at price for Dwight,may still have interest....

[kozlodoev]

I wouldn't mind giving up a first for Dwight. I think it's a calculated risk. The pattern I've seen is that players generally love playing for Boston, but only after they've been able to play as a Celtic. Low acquisition but high retention, if you will. I think once Dwight dons the green, he'd want to stay here. If he thinks we have a chance at landing Durant (I don't, tbh) and form a "big 3" with him, KD and IT4, I'm pretty sure he'd be willing to take a pay cut as well.

People are still hung up on the "goofball Dwight" image when he's toned it down considerably since leaving Orl and LA. People are on him about missing back to backs when that was only to start the year (after coming off injury from last year) and he's been off his minutes restriction for several weeks now.

I agree. Challenge is: Howard for Lee + pick doesn't work straight up. And I don't see Danny trading a current player (in addition to Lee) and a 2016 1st for Howard.

Would Houston accept Sully + Lee for Howard? Or Sully, Lee and MIA 2016 2nd rounder?

Zeller is completely expendable, especially if you're bringing in another big. He's also a RFA this offseason so he adds no salary.

[ssspence]

I wouldn't mind giving up a first for Dwight. I think it's a calculated risk. The pattern I've seen is that players generally love playing for Boston, but only after they've been able to play as a Celtic. Low acquisition but high retention, if you will. I think once Dwight dons the green, he'd want to stay here. If he thinks we have a chance at landing Durant (I don't, tbh) and form a "big 3" with him, KD and IT4, I'm pretty sure he'd be willing to take a pay cut as well.

People are still hung up on the "goofball Dwight" image when he's toned it down considerably since leaving Orl and LA. People are on him about missing back to backs when that was only to start the year (after coming off injury from last year) and he's been off his minutes restriction for several weeks now.

I agree. Challenge is: Howard for Lee + pick doesn't work straight up. And I don't see Danny trading a current player (in addition to Lee) and a 2016 1st for Howard.

Would Houston accept Sully + Lee for Howard? Or Sully, Lee and MIA 2016 2nd rounder?

In place of Sully what about Lee, Zeller, and our first (maybe lottery protect if somehow we sink) for Howard.  I can't see the Rockets doing a whole lot better than that.  Similar to the Rondo trade last year.

OK -- but I bet you Ainge would rather have Zeller & our 1st over Sully & a 2nd. I don't believe the Cs care to match a stupid offer sheet on Sully this summer -- which I can see from the likes of NOP, CHA, LAL and a couple others -- where I doubt Zeller will command as much / I think they'd like to keep him on a cost-controlled long term deal. Add the pick difference, and I believe they'd pursue the latter over the former.

Pure speculation on my part. But I think the Cs are a touch itchy about shipping out Sully before RFA.

[ssspence]

I've found one deal that I think makes some sense for Howard with the Nets, if their mindset remains as desparate as the King days:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hkfbnla

That said, timing is tricky with Sean Marks potentially joining this week, and it's a pretty risky deal for the Nets all the way around.

[slamtheking]

I've found one deal that I think makes some sense for Howard with the Nets, if their mindset remains as desparate as the King days:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hkfbnla

That said, timing is tricky with Sean Marks potentially joining this week, and it's a pretty risky deal for the Nets all the way around.

that deal sucks for Houston.

-JJ will struggle sharing the floor with Harden since they're both ball dominant.
-Jack is out for the year.
-Thad is another PF when they need a C to replace Howard.

[Dino Pitino]

Listening to WEEI. We're apparently not on Dwight's List, per Broussard's sauces? The list being teams that he thinks will re-sign him for the max. I get the feeling he would be very unhappy if traded as a rental.

[ssspence]

I've found one deal that I think makes some sense for Howard with the Nets, if their mindset remains as desparate as the King days:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hkfbnla

That said, timing is tricky with Sean Marks potentially joining this week, and it's a pretty risky deal for the Nets all the way around.

that deal sucks for Houston.

-JJ will struggle sharing the floor with Harden since they're both ball dominant.
-Jack is out for the year.
-Thad is another PF when they need a C to replace Howard.

I don't think you understand Houston's motivation for doing the deal I suggest. They'd likely just buy out Johnson (and waive Jack) when it's completed.

If anyone says no to this deal, I think it would be the Nets.

[danglertx]

I know this probably will sound nuts, but I think Howard would fit in very well with Celtics. Especially the easy going mentality and stretch 4 play of Olynyk.  I could see them being buds and bringing the best out of each other.

One thing about Olynyk that never gets mentioned is how well he pass hi/low to people being fronted.  He is exceptional at it and Howard could be a big beneficiary of KO's passing skills.  Meanwhile, Howard can cover for KO who likes to challenge outside shots and obviously mask some of his liabilities rebounding.  I think he is a perfect fit.

[slamtheking]

I've found one deal that I think makes some sense for Howard with the Nets, if their mindset remains as desparate as the King days:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hkfbnla

That said, timing is tricky with Sean Marks potentially joining this week, and it's a pretty risky deal for the Nets all the way around.

that deal sucks for Houston.

-JJ will struggle sharing the floor with Harden since they're both ball dominant.
-Jack is out for the year.
-Thad is another PF when they need a C to replace Howard.

I don't think you understand Houston's motivation for doing the deal I suggest. They'd likely just buy out Johnson (and waive Jack) when it's completed.

If anyone says no to this deal, I think it would be the Nets.

you're right, I don't see the motivation for Houston at all.  with the extra 'insight' you provided, there's even less reason to do it.  it's basically DH for Thad.  very underwhelming deal for Houston.

[ssspence]

Listening to WEEI. We're apparently not on Dwight's List, per Broussard's sauces? The list being teams that he thinks will re-sign him for the max. I get the feeling he would be very unhappy if traded as a rental.

On his list? Hahahahah. Goes to show you how dim Dwight is, and why his teammates never like him. He clearly doesn't understand his value (or reputation) -- still thinks its 2010 and he's 'the guy'. 

If Howard successfully convinced one NBA franchise to sign him to the full max this summer, I'd be surprised. I'd be even more shocked if a team that trades for him before tomorrow's deadline does, considering the boost in money and year(s) his Bird Rights provide.

[Vermont Green]

Listening to WEEI. We're apparently not on Dwight's List, per Broussard's sauces? The list being teams that he thinks will re-sign him for the max. I get the feeling he would be very unhappy if traded as a rental.

And I think most Celtics fans would be very unhappy if we sign him for 5 years at $30M per or whatever the max will be.  This is not a match.  He is not looking for a place to go to take a discount so he can work hard and win.  He is the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong price.

[heyvik]

can anyone sum up what Broussard said???

[PhoSita]

Dwight's never been interested in Boston. 

Which is fine, because I agree with Bill Simmons -- Dwight would not do well in Boston.  Taking personality out of the equation, I think he could be a great on-court addition to the team, but I think Dwight would be unhappy in a provincial market (albeit a significantly large one) that is pretty much the polar opposite of the southern / gulf culture that's most familiar to him.

[ssspence]

I've found one deal that I think makes some sense for Howard with the Nets, if their mindset remains as desparate as the King days:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hkfbnla

That said, timing is tricky with Sean Marks potentially joining this week, and it's a pretty risky deal for the Nets all the way around.

that deal sucks for Houston.

-JJ will struggle sharing the floor with Harden since they're both ball dominant.
-Jack is out for the year.
-Thad is another PF when they need a C to replace Howard.

I don't think you understand Houston's motivation for doing the deal I suggest. They'd likely just buy out Johnson (and waive Jack) when it's completed.

If anyone says no to this deal, I think it would be the Nets.

you're right, I don't see the motivation for Houston at all.  with the extra 'insight' you provided, there's even less reason to do it.  it's basically DH for Thad.  very underwhelming deal for Houston.

Ugh. OK...

• Lawson has worked out horribly -- he's a fat, declining volume PG with a drinking problem. He has no value. He makes $13mil next year guaranteed. He may be out of the league soon.
• Brewer is horrible. He's a 3-and-D guy who can't shoot. He may have value on a contender as a low minute energy guy, but he has negative value on his own in the trade market with two guaranteed years left at $8mil per. Meanwhile, Houston has a better version of Brewer: Trevor Ariza
• Houston gets out from under $20mil of 2016-17 salary in this deal for dead weight players.
• Houston is one of the more attractive FA destinations in the NBA, and has James Harden in his prime

Bottom line: If Houston could get Thad Young for Howard, that's alot better than losing Howard for nothing. He immediately becomes the best PF on their roster, and he'd fit nicely into their system. That they successful dump two luggage dudes and add $8mil in cap space this summer in the process is highly valuable to a team looking to re-tool, not rebuild. [/list]

[Kane3387]

Lawson's contract is non guaranteed next year.

[ssspence]

Lawson's contract is non guaranteed next year.

Right -- he waived his right to guaranteed 2016-17 in order to be traded, didn't he. Man, that was a bad move...

Still think the deal make sense for Houston, whether they include him or not. I find it very hard to believe they could do better than Thad Young in exchange for Howard.

Nets may wish to take a crack at rehabbing him (giving him the ball more than HOU can) for the ROY before choosing to keep him, or not, this summer. Hard to imagine Houston doing anything but letting him go.

Regardless, would Sean Marks really pull the trigger on a deal like this in his first day? Or would Prokhorov pull the trigger on it before he accepts (if he accepts)? Seems like a long shot.