spbynum1

Take your fan hat off and stop with the blind hatred. It's very unbecoming. What is so wrong with recognizing genuine talent when you see it even if it may not be the best fit for your team? Would you feel as if you are cheating on Dwight or something?

As long as the Lakers don't get him right? :lol:

May the best trade for all parties involved win!

Alright. I guess we aren't going to agree. May the best team win!

It remains to be seen ;)

That news from Woj. was from 3 weeks ago. Learning that Howard has been warning Houston that he will leave for Dallas was 8 days ago. We haven't heard much about what Houston has been offering since then. It is only logical that the offer could only remain the same or get worse after that. As I said, we have no clue what Houston's offer stance is on getting Howard. That quote from Woj. is severely outdated and this stuff changes on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. That is why I cannot present that as a viable option AT THIS TIME. You don't have to agree with me. There is no right answer here as none of us are reporters. I just think that we must adapt to the time-frame in which this story as unfolding. I would have NO CHOICE but to consider the Rockets a viable direct option should new evidence present itself. Edit: Of course I was Howard! Are you kidding me? That's no reason to try and diminish my opinion. Relax, dude!

With all due respect, I said "likely" options as things stand right NOW. I cannot in good conscience list that as a likely scenario right now with Howard beating the Dallas drum and threatening to leave. That COULD change as time goes on. If evidence surfaces that Houston is still willing to offer that full package in spite of Howard's warnings, I would consider it as another likely option. Until then, I cannot consider it a logical choice. By the way, Houston's offer actually was giving up the farm. Anything much less would not be sufficient to get the deal done. That is why Bynum is on the radar for them.

Frankly I don't think you guys have to. There is absolutely no way Orlando is gonna directly or indirectly be able to offload that contract for Brooklyn. There is only two leading options as it stands right now (subject to change as the story unfolds): 1. Houston really does give up the farm and gambles on Howard 2. Three-team trade between Lakers and Orlando with Houston/Cleveland as the facilitator.

Hey guys. Remember me? The Laker fan? I just wanted to let you know that there is no trade kicker on the Brook Lopez contract. You cannot exceed the maximum salary under any circumstances as confirmed below. Link: http://sulia.com/channel/brooklyn-nets/f/9e099dee-12e1-469f-81ac-ffa4917c2257/ You can relax now in that regard. Having said that, Brook Lopez's contract is already far too much for Orlando or any other team to take on considering his talent level. Besides, I think Orlando wants to still have some fans when this is all said and done :lol:

I tend to agree. Though if Orlando wasn't going to be trying to tank for a while, Bynum wouldn't be so bad to have around. I would absolutely jump ship as an Orlando fan if my team were to trade for the max contract of Brook Lopez lol.

Honestly? The odds of the Magic keeping Bynum wouldn't be very good. I was throwing out that hypothetical under the pretense that he would stay. In regards to rebuilding like OKC, I was talking about what OKC would do if they decide to take the other option rather than taking bynum: Let Bynum go to Houston or Cleveland and take in picks, prospects and shed an extra contract or two.

Then would you agree with the other point I made about the three-team trade in which Orlando gets the picks, prospects, and sheds bad contracts so Orlando can rebuild OKC style as many suspect Hennigan was hired for?

1. Fine. Take a max contract Brook Lopez instead lol. 2. Three-team trade with Cleveland or Houston. Their picks and prospects vary but you can dumb one bad contract on the Lakers and at least one on Cleveland/Houston. I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but beggars can't be choosers here. I'm not exactly sure what realistic deal you guys are hoping to get for Howard at this point.

I would just like to point out some food for thought. If your a team with the best player at his position and you and (everyone else) knows you are gonna lose him, when was the last time you saw a trade in which the second best option was involved? Whats better is that not only could you have the the second best option, you could choose to pass on Bynum in favor of shedding MORE contracts, get prospects and picks so they can rebuild OKC style (let's face it, that's why Hennigan is there). I would say thats a pretty good deal for a team with its back against the wall. But that's just me.

1. I don't see Howard staying after making the mistake (in his mind) of opting into his contract. I just can't see him doing that again. I would give credit to this argument prior to opting in, but I think it's far too late for that song and dance after the fiasco we are witnessing. The relationship is beyond repair. 2. Why does it have to be a direct trade with the Lakers? Why not let Cleveland or Houston facilitate and let them take on one of the bad contracts but give you picks and prospects? As I said before, the package would not be as good as one if they were to acquire Howard long-term, but wouldn't it still be pretty good in the Orlando FO's mind? In response to your side note, Adidas can merely influence Howard with where he goes with money. They can't force him. This is how sports endorsements have worked for decades and for decades to come. It's not exactly fair to most teams, but it isn't illegal.