Bamba #5

The article essentially says that the Magic will never get equal value for Howard and that Otis should be turning over every rock to find a running mate good enough to entice Howard to stay. The three trades listed were: 1. Ryan Anderson and Earl Clark for Eric Gordon - Article states that it could be risky given Gordon's injury history but that Gordon is young and one year removed from scoring 23+. The article states that the two could form a devastating combo given the pending decline of Wade and Kobe at the SG spot. 2. Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu and Redick for Pau Gasol - Article states that the Lakers would finally be able to spread the floor for Bynum and Kobe. It also says that Gasol and Howard would form a great front court with Pau being such a good passer and jump shooter. They could play high low together. 3. Ryan Anderson and Jameer Nelson for Rajon Rondo - Article states that Boston needs to rebuild soon and Rondo is wearing out his his welcome. It says that Rondo/Howard would be the best PG/Center combo since Penny/Shaq. That is the summary. Thoughts?

I would like to see Kevin Pritchard. He had some unfortunate luck in Portland with injuries but he always seemed to be able to get the most out of the draft and make some pretty good free agent decisions. Donnie Walsh has been solid in the past. I would like to see a guy that was a business person first and groomed through the ranks like Sam Presti in OKC. Please, no more former players that weren't even bright enough to negotiate their own contracts when they were players. They make good coaches, but not GM's (for the most part).

You have to put yourself in our position. He stated that if changes were made then he would stay. I agree, changes significant enough to convince him to stay will be tough to come by. But, I think you have to at least wait until the deadline to see if something is possible. Lets say Deron Williams came out and said that he wants to be traded to team X, Y, and Z but would be willing to stay if changes are made. Wouldn't you want to wait until the last possible moment to trade him to see if there is a chance improvements can be made? If Howard does truly decide to leave and changes can't be made I think we would prefer more high picks and young talent than the package currently being offered but why rush the process.

This is funny. Teams like the Nuggets don't even have enough guys to scrimmage. Their first game action could be in their first game.

Seems to be conflicting reports depending on the source. I wonder what the actual deal will be.

This says otherwise. If it is Bledsoe instead then it an okay deal. If it is Gordon it is great. "The trade as submitted would cost the Clippers guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman and forward Al-Farouq Aminu. It would also include Minnesota's first-round draft pick in 2012." http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7342778/los-angeles-clippers-deal-new-orleans-hornets-chris-paul-submitted-nba-source-says

Wow, if Howard is a goner I sure wish we could have got in on that Clipper action. Eric Gordon, Aminu, Kaman (expiring contract), and the Minnesota pick is a great haul and probably a better package than we will receive for Howard.

I did, the last four years. He failed. I just don't feel at all confident that he can do something positive with this situation. He alienates everybody; agents, players, other GM's, the press. The guy has no tact and hasn't shown any imagination or foresight in any of his moves.

Normally I may agree, if the team were independently owned. But Stern has the final say here and he said it is more valuable to keep Paul than to make a decent trade unless it involves young players and picks. So, conventionally wisdom can be thrown out the door. The normal rules don't apply. You have to satisfy Stern and his main focus is to make the team sellable. Therefore he will keep Paul unless we give them exactly what he wants to make the franchise more attractive to a new owner. Stern holds the trump, not Paul. This was crystal clear this past weekend.

We aren't going to get Paul. Sure, there are less teams interested but you still need to come up with a package of young players and draft picks to get David Stern's approval. That is the major obstacle, not Hornets management. You have to believe it has to be a very attractive package that any reasonable person would see as more valuable than the previous offer that was rejected. If not the media storm would be tremendous and people would start saying the NBA is rigged. That is the problem with getting Paul. Also, if a package of Pau and Odom couldn't get the young players and picks needed to get Paul how is a package of Jameer, Anderson, and other throw-ins going to do it? You guys are dreaming.

Not bad but I don't think Houston would be thrilled with that.

I agree. There is nothing worse than being a fringe playoff team loaded with veteran players. You are too good to get solid draft picks and too bad to have any chance of competing for a championship. It is the equivalent of sports purgatory. If we are trading our franchise player, which it appears we are, lets take advantage of the abbreviated season and outstanding draft to rebuild the right way. Our pick could be top ten and if we can net two more first round picks we could grab some very young all star caliber players. Also, we would have cap room and flexibility going forward. I would love to get the Clippers in on this.

There is one thing I am confused about. Apparently something happened between Howard and the organization this summer which soured him. But, there was a lockout this summer which forbade the team from having contact with Howard. How is it then that anything could have happened? We know the league was serious about fining teams should they violate this order of no contact. Strange.

I wonder if Otis was interviewed right now if he would still say "I like this team".

I agree. Get a young player(s) and the Minnesota pick. With how bad we will be we would have two top then picks in a loaded draft plus cap space next summer. It could be a quick rebuild especially if you can package vets like J.J., Jameer, and Richardson for even more picks and expiring deals. But don't do the Jersey deal. There pick will suck and the pick due from Houston to New Jersey is lottery protected through 2017.

Exactly. History has shown that if you can get a couple of elite guys the solid role players will follow. (Battier for example)

I'm not sure he should be. Look, you can't really blame him. Otis has proven to be incompetent over and over again and ownership hasn't canned him. In fact they keep giving him extensions. I think I would want to leave too. Look at the last two days. Otis paid an extra $2.5 million a year for a nearly identical player in BBD. The organization can't agree whether there was tampering or not. Our former CEO drunk dialed Howard. It is a mess from top to bottom. Best of luck Dwight.

Or go there and chant "Fire Otis"

Are we talking about Otis again?

Don't be silly. Mike Miller never played for the Warriors. He wouldn't fit in here.

I want Kevin Pritchard now. Otis needs to be fired ASAP

Not sure if this could happen exactly but I like the way you are thinking. There has to be a young stud somewhere in that trade and Minny's pick should be one.

I really hope the Nets trade as stated doesn't go through. The two picks we would receive would not be good. The Nets pick would be low because Howard and Williams would win a lot of games. The other pick is from the Rockets and is top 14 protected through 2016. http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_draft_trades/2012

Makes complete sense. If you are the Hornets you shouldn't go into rebuilding mode with two guys on the wrong side of thirty making over $11 million a year with 2 and 5 year contracts. Martin is making around $12 million for two years. The first round pick they would have received was lottery protected until 2017. Those are terrible rebuilding pieces. They are just good enough to let you win about 30 games a year and prevent you from getting good picks and free agents.

What happens in a few days if the Nets/Howard meeting is proven to be true. Howard has stated that there was not a meeting. If he lied about this it could be bad for him and his image. I don't know how I would handle it if I was ownership and management. It would be a slap in the face. If it happened he not only lied about it but went behind management and ownerships back. This could lead to some very difficult conversations and ultimately and unfriendly parting.