Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith has publicly admitted that nothing has changed regarding Dwight Howard's trade demands, that they are currently at a stalemate, and he will have to decide whether or not he will move the highly coveted center before the March 15 NBA trade deadline.
The New Jersey Nets are considered to be the first choice on Howard's wish list because of his desire to team up with the Net's current all-star point guard Deron Williams.
The Dallas Mavericks are supposedly second on that list since Williams could sign with them as an unrestricted free agent this summer and Howard could join him there as an UFA as well.
Then there's the Los Angeles Lakers, who clearly have the most to offer the Magic in return. Although they already gave away Lamar Odom, last year's sixth man of the year, to Dallas, a package of Bynum and Gasol is most likely the most practical trade offer the Magic could receive.
However, staying in Orlando is a very real possibility for Howard. The Magic can offer him 30 million more than any max contract offer he can receive from another team. It would be hard for anyone to walk away from an extra 30M especially when there is no guarantee that you will win a title anywhere else.
Even if the Magic decide they want to trade him it will most likely be with his blessing. It's very doubtful that any team would be willing to part with the pieces to attain him without the assurance that he first signs an extension before a trade.
Despite being third on the list, popular opinion has the Lakers organization finding a way to get it done. But there's always a chance another team could come out of nowhere, just at the right moment, play their cards right, get lucky, really lucky and claim the NBA's most dominant big man for themselves.
And that team just might very well be the Boston Celtics. These are the top ten reasons why Dwight Howard should join the Celtics instead of the Lakers.
10. The Lakers are old. Kobe is 33, Fisher is 37, World Peace 32, and even if they find a way to keep him, Pau is 31. Other than Paul Pierce, only Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and rookie JaJaun Johnson will remain under contract next year. They are 26, 21, and 23 respectively. With or without Dwight the Lakers window is closing. Kobe said he wasn't gonna stick around and be that guy that only averages 19ppg.
9. The Lakers don't have cap space. The Lakers can only attempt to trade for Dwight. In doing so they will have given up the pieces they need to contend for a championship. The Celtics will have tons of flexibility next season. They will be far enough under the salary cap to offer Dwight a max contract and still have room to surround him, and fellow all-stars Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, with enough talent to contend, much the same way the Heat did a year ago.
8. In LA Kobe is still "The Man". Dwight has made it clear that he not only wants to win, but he also wants to play in a big market and be their franchise player. If he chooses the Lakers he will play second fiddle to The Black Mamba until he calls it quits. Is Superman really willing to become a sidekick? Rumor has it that Kobe informed Dwight that he would be the third option behind himself and Pau Gasol if he came to LA. Can you imagine Dwight on a team in which his role is not Batman or even Robin? There's no question who "The Man" would be if he came to Boston.
7. The Lakers are not better than OK. City that is. The Thunder are the best in the West as proven by taking care of business against the Lakers last night. The Western Conference is loaded. The Mavericks, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, Blazers and Nuggets make the road to the finals even more difficult. Ask Dwight how much he would cherish the opportunity to face Thunder center Kendrick Perkins more often since they would be in the same conference again. In Boston, Dwight's main competition would still consist of Bulls' center Joakim Noah and the Heat's Joel Anthony. Really?
6. The Celtics have Rondo. Dwight has never had the opportunity to play with a really good point guard alongside him. Rajon Rondo is an all-star pass first, true point guard that could elevate Howard's game even further. The Lakers have DFish and Steve Blake.
5. The Celtics have the pieces to trade for Deron Williams. If Superman insists on including DWill in whichever option he chooses, Boston is best equipped to deal for Williams. If the Nets are unable to trade for Dwight, it's no secret that DWill will walk at the end of the season. New Jersey cannot afford to let that happen without getting anything in return. Boston has made it known that Rondo is available, which would make him the best point guard available. Rondo and filler for Deron Williams makes sense. Therefore Howard to Boston makes sense as well.
4. Dwight does not want to follow in Shaq's footsteps. Other than the Superman moniker, D12 does not want to draw any comparisons between him and Shaq. But the most dominant big man in the league leaving Orlando for LA sounds awfully familiar. And he's really not Shaq.
3. Dwight's got the moves like Russell. The footsteps anyone would be honored to follow is also the name on the MVP trophy, Mr. Bill Russell. Mr. Russell is respected and admired by all. It was his influence that prompted Shaq to greet Kobe and congratulate him on the birth of his daughter to end their alleged feud. Dwight's game is more comparable to Russell than Shaq. Like Russell he doesn't have to score the most points because he can dominate a game on the defensive end. If winning is the most important thing to Dwight, Russell epitomizes what winning is all about. His resume speaks for itself. Russell made twelve all-star game appearances, won league MVP five times, and has more NBA championship rings than fingers. ELEVEN.
2. Dwight. Thou art a hero, not a villain. The glitz and glamour in LA can be very enticing, especially for someone that wants to be in the movies. Who wouldn't want to play in front of Jack and Denzel and the rest of the Hollywood elite? It would appear that Superman fits the script, but not if he has the heart of a hero. The Lakers already got a gift when they were allowed to trade Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol. If Superman chose historic Boston instead, it would save the NBA's most storied franchise, owners of the most championships in NBA history. SEVENTEEN.
1. Dwight said it himself. When asked if he would consider coming to Boston, Dwight responded. "I’d always listen to a team like that...I want to win. It’s not something like I’m doing this for money...especially Boston...Man, those guys came together and they didn't care who scored all the points. They had done all the individual stuff. You know, for me, I've done a lot of things individually, but I want a championship. They have the championship mentality...It means a lot. Like I said, I like the team. They play hard and they go after it, and that's what I like."
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