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Brook Lopez Rumors: Tuesday

February 28th, 2012 at 11:24am CST by Luke Adams

Playing against Dwight Howard and the Magic in the Nets' last game before the All-Star break, Brook Lopez scored 15 points, grabbed four boards, and blocked a pair of shots. While the performance wasn't exceptional, and wasn't enough to help New Jersey avoid a loss, it was a good step forward for Lopez in just his second game back from foot surgery. Here are today's Lopez-related items, as he prepares to return to action in Dallas tonight:

  • The Magic don't have a ton of interest in Lopez in a Howard trade, but he's inexpensive and even decent big men are hard to find, says Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter links).
  • There are "renewed rumblings" about the Warriors landing Lopez in a multi-team Howard trade, according to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. This scenario, which Vecsey suggests would include Monta Ellis going to Orlando, sounds like a real long-shot to me.
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Dwight Howard Rumors: Monday

February 27th, 2012 at 5:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Predictably, even though Dwight Howard declined comment for most of the weekend on his trade request and his next destination, rumors and speculation on D12 still dominated the All-Star proceedings. You can catch up on the latest rumors in our extensive Howard post from Sunday, and follow along with today's updates below:

  • Sources with knowledge of Howard's thinking say that while his wish-list of teams still includes the Nets, Lakers and Mavs, New Jersey is far and away the leader, writes Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated.  Amick also notes that even though Howard could sign with the Nets in free agency, getting there via trade means that he can sign a five-year deal with a 7.5 percent raise versus a four-year deal with a 4.5 percent raise.
  • Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld says staying in Orlando for one more season is a real possibility for Howard, who could opt in for next year at $19.54MM. Kyler's piece includes a number of updates on the Howard rumors that circulated during the All-Star break.
  • Several team executives believe Howard won't be moved before the trade deadline, says Fred Kerber of the New York Post. The "consensus feeling" is that any offers the Magic get before March 15th could also be had later. Plus, Orlando would have more time to convince Howard to stay.
  • The Lakers are "fading as a viable trade option," due to questions about Andrew Bynum's knees, adds Kerber. Based on what we've heard to date, it seems like the Magic are reluctant to send Howard to L.A. even for a healthy Bynum.
  • Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM.com believes trading for Bynum would be the best decision Orlando could make.
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Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday

February 26th, 2012 at 11:07pm CST by Chuck Myron

Today could be the last hurrah for Dwight Howard in Orlando, where the rumored departure of yet another "Superman" has cast a pall over the mood surrounding All-Star weekend, observes Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News. We'll track the D12 rumors through tonight's All-Star Game here in this post, with the latest stuff up top, as usual:

  • John Denton, who writes for the Magic website and recently published a book with Howard, tweets that he heard from a "very reliable source" that the Nets doubt that the Magic will move Howard before the March 15th deadline. 
  • If you watched the All-Star Game, you saw Craig Sager report that Dwight Howard's mom wants him to stay in Orlando.  Howard spoke to it after the game, saying, "I don’t know what she said, but that’s my mom’s opinion. That’s it."  (via Twitter here and here)
  • Magic CEO Alex Martins has denied that they are close to a three way deal that would send Howard to the Lakers, according to Josh Robbins at the Orlando Sentinel.  Orlando intends to talk to its All-Star center before March 1st about his offseason intentions.
  • While it's unknown whether it would be a factor, Adidas would not object to Howard joining fellow Adidas headliner Derrick Rose in Chicago, despite reports to the contrary, says ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell. 
  • Brian Schmitz from the Orlando Sentinel says he has heard rumblings of a three way deal that could happen as soon as March 1st.  The deal has Howard going to the Lakers with Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu.  Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Jose Calderon would end up in Orlando.  Schmitz isn't sure what the Raptors would receive for Calderon.  That would be an impressive haul for Orlando.
  • Salary cap guru Larry Coon says the Nets and Magic are working on a long-rumored trade involving Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez, though nothing is imminent. A third team could be in on the deal. Coon doubts Dwight Howard will wind up with the Knicks, though the odds of D12 staying are lower than the Magic think they are. (Twitter links)
  • The Knicks could be a darkhorse in the Howard sweepstakes, writes Peter Vecsey of the New York Post. He quotes an unnamed Eastern Conference GM who says, "I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. [Magic GM] Otis [Smith] deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what." 
  • Vecsey also says a Western Conference executive has told him the Lakers have offered Andrew Bynum for Howard, but the Magic have no interest.
  • Carmelo Anthony is glad to be watching Dwight Howard field countless questions about his future this year, instead of being the focus of last year's Melo-drama, notes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Anthony called last year's proceedings "a zoo."
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Odds & Ends: Howard, Cousins, Hornets

February 25th, 2012 at 9:37pm CST by Jesse Blanchard

Anytime there is a gathering of NBA general managers and reporters, rumors are sure to fly. This year Orlando offers an interesting backdrop for such discussion–the Magic's best player, Dwight Howard, is at the center of the biggest trade talks. Some news and notes from All-Star weekend:

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Odds & Ends: Howard, Lakers, Durant, Nash

February 25th, 2012 at 4:34pm CST by Daniel Seco

With the likes of Chase Budinger and Jeremy Evans among the Slam Dunk contestants set to do battle on Saturday evening in Orlando, let's take a look around the league to see what else is happening:

  • Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter) says he's having a hard time with Dwight Howard's constant line of wanting to push aside distractions and focus on winning. It's Howard, not anyone else, who has created such distractions by making trade demands and by telling his agent to ask for permission to pursue possible deals. 
  • Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com is looking forward to the NBA trade deadline (March 15) and wonders if the Lakers should blow up their roster now or simply wait until the summer. He says that the Celtics are in a similar situation, but is excited to see another group of aging players in the Spurs continue to do well and perhaps threaten for an NBA Finals appearance.
  • Kevin Durant believes the Hornets can rebuild their franchise through the draft in a similar fashion to his own team, writes John Reid of The Times-Picayune. ''Losing C.P. and David West was tough for the Hornets, but they have Trevor Ariza and I like Gustavo Ayon. You know it's just a matter of time before everything starts to click. But losing your point guard in a lockout shortened season is tough. I love Monty for what he does and stands for.''
  • Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com says Steve Nash believes Jeremy Lin is the type of player that can succeed in any type of NBA system. While Lin is expected to re-sign with the Knicks this summer, such an endorsement from a marquee player may go a long way to drive up the asking price for the restricted free agent.
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Pacific Notes: Kings, Bryant, Clippers

February 25th, 2012 at 2:51pm CST by Daniel Seco

With Andrew Bynum conceding the fact that he is not a sneaker guy while also making demands for the ball late in the game, let's take a look around the rest of the Pacific Division to see what else is going on:

  • The city of Sacramento and the NBA continue to make progress toward reaching a financing deal for a new arena, reports Ryan Lillis of The Sacramento Bee. The topic of discussion for today has been agreeing on what the Maloof family, the owners of the Kings, should be contributing monetarily to the project. While Saturday's talks have extended beyond the expected two hour meeting and delayed a press conference on the arena discussions, USA Today's J. Michael Falgoust reports (via Twitter) that the Kings are going to be asked to provide between $70MM and $90MM to help fund the arena. 
  • After skipping out on Friday's All-Star media availability due to illness, Lakers star Kobe Bryant met with the press on Saturday and discussed Dwight Howard's uncertain future. Bryant conceded that there has been a sense of awkwardness surrounding Howard's situation during All-Star Weekend in Orlando, but also empathized with how he perceives Howard must be feeling, writes Ben Golliver of CBSSports.com. "He just wants his team [to win]… with players, sometimes there's a certain level of frustration when we don't feel like we're moving in the right direction."
  • The Clippers' trade to acquire All-Star point guard Chris Paul just prior to the start of the season has done wonders for the franchise both on and off the court, says Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. Not only does the team occupy the top spot in the Pacific, the Clippers are also selling out all of their home games, have doubled their regional television ratings and seen merchandise sales sky-rocket since Paul's arrival. 
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Dwight Howard Rumors: Saturday

February 25th, 2012 at 8:40am CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday, Dwight Howard manned the sidelines for the All-Star celebrity game but beforehand had to fend off questions about his immediate future.  Even though the big man tried his best to sidestep the issue, the media still pressed Howard for answers.  Here's a look at today's rumors..

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Dwight Howard Rumors: Friday

February 24th, 2012 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

With the media descending on Orlando for the All-Star Game, Dwight Howard is in for a busy weekend. Of the hundreds of questions he'll field over the next few days, Howard shouldn't expect many to address the Eastern Conference's strategy for Sunday's game. This weekend's inquiries will focus on D12's trade request, his contract status, and the Magic's post-All-Star plans. As the festivities get underway in Orlando, we'll keep tabs on today's Howard updates here, with the latest up top:

  • Around the league, there are those who view it as "suicidal" if the Magic don't trade Howard by March 15th, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. "I think he's gone," one source told Berger. "And you can't afford to let him go and get nothing."
  • Nets GM Billy King is preparing three- or four-team trade scenarios for Howard to pitch whenever the Magic are ready to talk, says Chris Mannix of SI.com.
  • Asked if there's a future for him in Orlando, Howard said "it's a big possibility," according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Howard also cryptically commented, "Kobe [Bryant] asked to be traded, and looked what happened."
  • Magic GM Otis Smith, meanwhile, views the odds as about 50/50, since "until you have a signed contract in your hand, it could go either way."
  • "I do think there's a piece of Dwight that wants to be here," said Magic CEO Alex Martins. "And deep down inside knows that this organization is committed to winning."
  • Howard suggested last night that the idea of being recruited by teams as an unrestricted free agent appeals to him, tweets John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com.
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Odds & Ends: Howard, Koponen, Hunter

February 23rd, 2012 at 10:54pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:

  • Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, a champion of NBA player rights in the 1970s, told the Orlando Sentinel that Dwight Howard should stop feeding trade rumors and focus on basketball.
  • Sportando reports that Finnish guard Petteri Koponen is undecided as to whether to stay with Virtus Bologna or join the Mavericks, who own his draft rights. Koponen was drafted no. 30 overall in 2007 by Philadelphia and had his rights traded to Portland before being sent to Dallas in June 2011.
  • Sportando also reports that Othello Hunter has reached an agreement to play in the Ukraine with Azovmash Mariupol. The 26-year-old power forward played in 23 games for the Hawks between 2008 and 2010.
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Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday

February 23rd, 2012 at 10:43am CST by Luke Adams

The Magic easily handled the Nets last night behind Dwight Howard's 20 points and 17 rebounds — after Orlando jumped out to a 17-point first quarter lead, the teams, rather improbably, tied each of the remaining quarters, resulting in a 108-91 Magic win. However, Howard was humbled by the show the Nets put on for him, including a pyrotechnic display and chants of "We want Dwight!" Howard declined comment when asked if saw potential in New Jersey's current roster, says Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com, but that won't stop the rumors and speculation from flying. Here's the latest on Howard:

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