The Rockets had what they felt was an "encouraging meeting" with Dwight Howard last night, and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was able to get in a quick word with the All-Star center as well. Houston and Los Angeles are among the teams expected to increase their pursuit of D12 in the coming days, so let's check out the latest rumblings on Howard:
- Although the Warriors appear willing to make the Lakers a competitive offer for Howard (story below), the two teams haven't engaged in sign-and-trade talks, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. According to Berger, for that to happen, Howard would have to indicate that the Warriors are his first choice, and even then, the Lakers may not be willing to engage. The team has "demonstrated no appetite" for a sign-and-trade so far, notes Berger (all Twitter links).
Earlier updates:
- The fact that Howard appears to be receptive to the extra efforts the Lakers are making to woo him suggest that he's still open to re-signing with the team, writes Sam Amick of USA Today.
- However, the Rockets have emerged as the frontrunner for Howard and the team's pitch last night did nothing to dampen D12's enthusiasm for Houston, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- Wojnarowski, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, and Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle all have details on Howard's meeting with the Rockets contingent in Los Angeles.
- Although the Warriors are viewed as a long shot for Howard, Golden State is willing to offer Andrew Bogut and either Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade offer, reports Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group.
This guy man, he gives me a migraine and I’m not even a Magic/Nets fan.
i think when all is said and done the starting lineup for the nets in two years will be
1. Deron Williams
2. Marshon Brooks
3. Joe Johnson
4. Kris Humphries
5. Dwight Howard.
lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
More likely to be this…
PG – D-Will
SG – Brooks
SF – Wallace
PF – Humphries
C – Lopez
They cannot afford both Williams and Howard now with Johnson on board. It’s nice to dream though.
Meant Joe Johnson as the starter. Wouldn’t let me edit it.
Joe Johnson is a shooting guard not a 3.
You can still start him there, if that puts your best five guys on the court. Live with the loss on defense, for the sake of more offense.
If there is not a Nets deal that interests the Magic, then they should trade him to the Mavericks for a better package. The Mavs could then sign Williams and form a big-three of their own.
Considering the nets just gave up a ton of expiring contracts and young players and a potential high draft pick. The only way Dwight goes to the nets is after the 2012-2013 season at a huge price cut assuming they sign Williams. If they don’t sign Williams they could afford Dwight but the magic will get better deals than brook Lopez. After this deal I think the mavs, lakers and bulls are front runners. And all three probably won’t care he won’t resign because they will still have all year to try it and be able to offer the most
Money And worst case these teams could sign and trade him.
thats possible Mavs offer is worse than any other offer I could imagine. Im pretty sure a NBADL team would make a better one. WHAT A JOKE!!!
somebody ought to tell Dwight Howard that the Nets haven’t won anything since they joined the NBA and a move to Brooklyn isn’t likely to change that. moving back to the ABA might but, not moving to Brooklyn.