Originally Posted by
nolaslim213
I'm going to get smashed for this, but Howard for Aminu and JSmith + our 2013 1st round pick (top-3 protected) and our 2015 1st round pick (lottery protected) works financially. The salaries don't match, but they don't have to since we are under the cap. Orlando gets 2 young players + a couple of 1st round picks to re-build with, which is a lot considering Howard doesn't hold much value any more since he won't sign an extension with any team that trades for him.
Our current space = $45.030 million
Add in Howard's $19.261 million, and we are up to $64.291 million. Then, subtract Aminu ($2.947 mil) and JSmith ($2.5 mil), and we're at $58.8 million - right on top of the cap, but I'm sure there are ways around the extra few hundred thousand. GMs get paid for this sort of manipulation.
Anthony Davis is opening eyes. Players will want to play with him. Rivers is developing, and he is another draw. Gordon was the last cut on the Olympic team, and he is only 23. Also, we would still have the MLE, and Lewis is $13.7 million coming off the books next year, so we could add another big piece to the team next FA period too. You also have to figure in the $50 million dollars worth of improvements to the arena, Benson as the new local owner, the lease with the city, and the re-brand. Davis just signed a big deal with Nike, so the marketing is definitely available.
PG - Vasquez, Rivers
SG - Gordon, Henry
SF - Henry, Miller
PF - Davis, Anderson
C - Howard
^ That is the core, plus a $10+ million dollar FA next year, or a few $3-5 million dollar FAs + the MLE. I think there is a real good chance that Howard would want to re-sign with us.