Photo by stuckincustoms on Flickr.
…the Magic should play out the season with Howard. No trade, no concessions. That’s the franchise’s inclination now, and that’s what the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to believe will happen. All that needs to happen in the Eastern Conference playoffs are Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade going down, and Howard could get the Magic over the top.
“Orlando is too good to trade him now,†believes one front office executive who has communicated with Magic general manager Otis Smith recently.
As soon as I saw the title of Woj’s latest on Dwight Howard, my mind went to Larry Coon’s chat from this week, where he painted a different picture for Orlando.
The Lakers have no shot without a sign and trade. The Mavs will be able to generate the cap space — they need to waive Vince Carter (half man, half salary dump) and Lamar Odom, who have partially-guaranteed contracts. They also need to use their amnesty waiver on Brendan Haywood. They’d then be able to give Howard a max deal. Word has it they want to move Shawn Marion for an ending contract as well, which would clear nearly enough to go after both Howard and Deron Williams, which would have to be considered their “Plan A.â€
New Jersey will have enough cap room to retain Deron Williams and sign Howard.
So of the three, the only team that really needs the Magic’s help is the Lakers. The Clippers are in the same situation as the Lakers, if you want to include them on your list.
So if you’re Orlando, do you [count] on Howard needing them to facilitate a sign and trade, when two of his top three teams don’t need one, or do you get something for him while you can? Thought so.
Neither of them is wrong. The Magic are playing well. With the brilliant Stan Van Gundy, Howard, and reliable shooters, they are another contender’s significant injury away from the Finals. Their superstar won’t be traded tomorrow.
At the same time, would you pick Orlando to win the title this year? No. If you’re Howard, would you choose the Magic over your other options, assuming they don’t get you a sidekick? Probably not. Would Steve Nash be enough? I’m not sure.
Otis Smith has to be focused on finding a way to keep Howard around, but remain prepared to shift into trade mode if and when it becomes clear there’s no chance he’s staying. He has to be looking at deals that would send Howard away and deals that would make his team more attractive for Howard. He has to gauge how willing Howard would be to leave some money on the table by signing elsewhere without a trade. None of this is simple.
This is why the rest of the month is important for the Magic. They’re about to play six games in eight nights: home and away dates with both Boston and Indiana, plus New Orleans and Philadelphia on the road. As bad as the Celtics look right now, they usually play Orlando tough. The Sixers and Pacers aren’t the Heat and Thunder, but Indy has been about as good as the Magic and Philly has been better. This stretch will be a test.
If the Magic perform well to close out January, they can keep talking about keeping Howard around for a little while longer, at least. If they don’t, everyone is going to claim Howard’s uncertain status is affecting the team. Regardless of whether or not he’s actually a distraction, a losing streak here could make Otis Smith’s job a bit simpler. Can’t you just picture it? “Magic Lose To Hornets, Dwight Up All Night Texting With Kobe.†Barf.
