Report: Dwight has stong interest in Rockets and Mavs

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ke...ued-by-rockets

Quote:

---

With six weeks to go before Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent, the team that is said to intrigue him the most is the Houston Rockets, according to multiple people briefed on internal conversations surrounding Howard's free-agent decision. The Rockets have a young star, James Harden, who has proved himself worthy of playing the leading role for the franchise; a budding 3-point shooting threat in Chandler Parsons; a defensive-minded coach in Kevin McHale; and Omer Asik, the kind of 7-footer Howard is believed to want next to him in the frontcourt.

The Rockets are a couple of minor moves away from having room to sign Howard; they have a team option on Francisco Garcia's $6.4 million and Carlos Delfino's $3 million is fully non-guaranteed, for example. If they chose to or needed to make a trade to create room, they have numerous attractive young players on tradable contracts, such as 2012 No. 5 pick Thomas Robinson. Such assets could be moved to a team or teams under the cap to create room or packaged in a possible sign-and-trade with LA -- if the Lakers became convinced Howard would leave and they'd receive nothing in return.

The Mavericks represent another franchise that intrigues Howard, and Dallas is a minor transaction or two away from having enough room to sign Howard outright as an unrestricted free agent. Howard plans to explore all such options, and a person briefed on his plans told CBSSports.com that there are "several" teams the free-agent center is "going to take a hard look at."

---

The Chronicle is also going goo goo


http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocket...st-in-rockets/

Quote:

---

After general manager Daryl Morey acquired James Harden and a feisty six-game playoff series against the Thunder, the Rockets’ stock appears to be rising across the NBA. Howard is among those paying attention.

---

If the Rockets decide to give away players to create space for Howard and want to give away Robinson or Montiejunas, or even White, I'd find a way to take them if I was the Pelicans.

Tell the rockets we'll take on a semi bad contract if we also get chandler parsons.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Tell the rockets we'll take on a semi bad contract if we also get chandler parsons.

---

They'd probably make us take Linsanity. Which would be insanity because of they way his salary balloons in a couple of years.

Just haven't caught onto the Parsons thing. Just something I haven't seen in his game. Maybe cuz whenever I watch the Rockets I'm only looking at Harden be Harden.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

They'd probably make us take Linsanity. Which would be insanity because of they way his salary balloons in a couple of years.

---

Yeah, the Lin and Asik contracts are going to send them well into luxury tax land in two years. They will have 3 players (those 2 and Harden) eating up $44.5 million in cap space! If they were to add Howard, that would balloon to over $60 million for 4 players!

Good. Whatever saves us from the CP3, Howard, Harden team I fear.

I'd take Terrence Jones off their hands. They can keep the other guys.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eman5805

I'd take Terrence Jones off their hands. They can keep the other guys.

---

I forgot about Terrence Jones. Move him to the top of the list!

I have suspected that Howard would be playing in Texas from 2013 and beyond for awhile now. With Harden, Parsons and Asik already in tow, Houston would be a mighty appealing option for Howard's title aspirations. Honestly, the Lakers are a declining team and his chances in Houston are better for the long term.

How much money is Harden making?

In order to sign Dwight, you have to overpay. If you are Houston, you already overpaid Lin. If Harden is not already making a lot of money he will soon. If they sign Howard as well, you very well could be looking at New York Knicks Version 2.0.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Yeah, the Lin and Asik contracts are going to send them well into luxury tax land in two years. They will have 3 players (those 2 and Harden) eating up $44.5 million in cap space! If they were to add Howard, that would balloon to over $60 million for 4 players!

---

I was wondering about their cap with all those horrible contracts.

How are Howard and Asik supposed to co-exist? I don't understand the acquisition.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nolaslim213

How are Howard and Asik supposed to co-exist? I don't understand the acquisition.

---

I assume they would get rid of Asik. If I had to explain the acquisition I would say that every time you have the chance to get a potential franchise player, you do it. Plus, Houston has a lot of cap space, they have to do something with it.

But they make reference of Asik and Howard playing next to each other?? Can one or the other slide out to the 4?

Asik would play the 4

Didn't want to start a new thread so I'll stick this here... here's Cuban buttering up CP3 this past week at a bowling event. I live in DFW, and its no secret Cuban has been saving his cap money for CP and DH.

Attachment 4923

Attachment 4924

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Didn't want to start a new thread so I'll stick this here... here's Cuban buttering up CP3 this past week at a bowling event. I live in DFW, and its no secret Cuban has been saving his cap money for CP and DH.

Attachment 4923

Attachment 4924

---

Whoa, I wonder if nolaslim knows about this?

Can Dallas get that far under the cap? CP3 and Howard won't be cheap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Tell the rockets we'll take on a semi bad contract if we also get chandler parsons.

---

ROFLMAO.

You do realize Parsons' contract is paying below a million a year? That's the only contract they luckily don't have to worry about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Yeah, the Lin and Asik contracts are going to send them well into luxury tax land in two years. They will have 3 players (those 2 and Harden) eating up $44.5 million in cap space! If they were to add Howard, that would balloon to over $60 million for 4 players!

---

Actually, the Lin & Asik contracts are prorated over the three seasons equally. Even though they make 15 million in the third year, the cap hit for them is roughly 8.4 million per season.

I love Cuban's passion for his team. It seems that he does anything in order to make it better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Asik would play the 4

---

Asik is one of the least mobile players in the league. There is absolutely no way he could play the 4.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Asik is one of the least mobile players in the league. There is absolutely no way he could play the 4.

---

I agree. He's gonna get moved in a trade for Dwight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bradael

Actually, the Lin & Asik contracts are prorated over the three seasons equally. Even though they make 15 million in the third year, the cap hit for them is roughly 8.4 million per season.

---

Is it really? Someone should explain that to hoopshype because that is not how they show it.

It's how it's shown on Hoopsworld. Also, Spotrac shows the cap hit as 8 million each year as well, but the contract as 5/5/15.

I believe had the Knicks matched, they would have had a cap hit of 5/5/15, but for whatever reason that it's worded in the CBA, the Rockets are allowed a cap hit split evenly over the length of the contract.

Yeah, a big 3 forming in Texas is becoming a reality. Thing is rockets have the assets to get it done and Dallas has the space/money to get it done.

Attachment 4926

We're either looking at cp3/harden/Dwight or cp3/dirk/Howard. Either one is better than the Miami heat.

But scary thing is if the rockets were able to pull it off, they would still have parson at the 3. Smh

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

We're either looking at cp3/harden/Dwight or cp3/dirk/Howard. Either one is better than the Miami heat.

But scary thing is if the rockets were able to pull it off, they would still have parson at the 3. Smh

---

Do you know who Lebron James is? Any legit big 3 with him included is the best one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

We're either looking at cp3/harden/Dwight or cp3/dirk/Howard. Either one is better than the Miami heat.

But scary thing is if the rockets were able to pull it off, they would still have parson at the 3. Smh

---

Dirk won't be playing for much longer anyway. If he goes to Dallas, it'll wind up being Mayo forced into that 3rd slot. Dirk will do well for the time being, I guess.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Do you know who Lebron James is? Any legit big 3 with him included is the best one.

---

Come on. Wade Is falling apart and the other is bosh.

Cp3 harden and d12 is better

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shelbywmccarty

Come on. Wade Is falling apart and the other is bosh.

Cp3 harden and d12 is better

---

Bosh and d12 are a wash. Cp3 is a little better than wade right now but Lebron is light years better than anyone not name durant. Rockets Not better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Do you know who Lebron James is? Any legit big 3 with him included is the best one.

---

The heat aren't dominating because of their big 3, they are dominating because of their role players. Wade has flashes and lebron has off games at times. Only consistent player put of the big 3 is bosh (well the most consistent). And that's with him being the odd man out, they don't even run plays for bosh.

At least with those big 3s I mentioned, each player compliments each other. Lebron and wade basically are the same player.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Bosh and d12 are a wash. Cp3 is a little better than wade right now but Lebron is light years better than anyone not name durant. Rockets Not better.

---

Cp3 setting up harden with dimes and Howard in the post flows a lot better than lebron playing point, wade cutting to the basket, and bosh standing around waiting for a pass.

I think Dwight won't be dumb enough to make the same mistake as he did in Orlando. That is, want to go to a team with an aging star(s) and no pieces with them(Mavs). I think this time he goes to Houston with James Harden to hopefully build a contender for years. CP3, however, is a toss up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

Cp3 setting up harden with dimes and Howard in the post flows a lot better than lebron playing point, wade cutting to the basket, and bosh standing around waiting for a pass.

---

Yeah because you can't win a championship that way. Oh wait:idoh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Bosh and d12 are a wash. Cp3 is a little better than wade right now but Lebron is light years better than anyone not name durant. Rockets Not better.

---

Bosh is only a wash with Howard if Howard is still derailed due to his back next season. A healthy Howard is much more valuable than Bosh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Asik is one of the least mobile players in the league. There is absolutely no way he could play the 4.

---

This. Asik backs him up or gets moved. Probably the latter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MonsterMash

Bosh is only a wash with Howard if Howard is still derailed due to his back next season. A healthy Howard is much more valuable than Bosh.

---

That's debatable. Bosh is also more valuable on a team he is not the third fiddle. But he plays his role well. Jury still out on Dwight cause he will be third fiddle on Houston and Dallas big 3's. worked out well in LA though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Yeah because you can't win a championship that way. Oh wait:idoh:

---

If it weren't for James Harden dissappearing except for one game and the bench providing 15-20 points a game (how about Mike Miller dropping 23 points in game 5), I can guarantee you we would be singing a different tune about Miami right now.

And then you have to take into account how crappy of a coach Scott is.

A healthy Dwight, even with his lackluster post game, is a top 3 player in the league no doubt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

If it weren't for James Harden dissappearing except for one game and the bench providing 15-20 points a game (how about Mike Miller dropping 23 points in game 5), I can guarantee you we would be singing a different tune about Miami right now.

And then you have to take into account how crappy of a coach Scott is.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

A healthy Dwight, even with his lackluster post game, is a top 3 player in the league no doubt.

---

You don't think trying to guard Lebron had something to do with Harden disappearing act. Ok. And Dwight top 3? Really. I will give you he is the best center in the game when healthy. But if Dwight's your best player you not winning much. Ask Orlando.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

You don't think trying to guard Lebron had something to do with Harden disappearing act. Ok. And Dwight top 3? Really. I will give you he is the best center in the game when healthy. But if Dwight's your best player you not winning much. Ask Orlando.

---

Hell if either of the Texas Big 3's come to fruition, he will be the third best player on his own team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

You don't think trying to guard Lebron had something to do with Harden disappearing act. Ok. And Dwight top 3? Really. I will give you he is the best center in the game when healthy. But if Dwight's your best player you not winning much. Ask Orlando.

---

Lebron was sticking Durant most of the time. I credit game-planning for Harden more than Lebron's defense. And Harden was missing some good shots that series, dude was just cold.

And ask Orlando? Yeah, you mean the Dwight's Magic who won over 50 games for 4 seasons and went to the NBA Finals Magic? Yeah, you can't be talking about them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

Hell if either of the Texas Big 3's come to fruition, he will be the third best player on his own team.

---

So you are telling me a healthy Dwight < Harden and Healthy Dwight < Past his prime Dirk? Wow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

Lebron was sticking Durant most of the time. I credit game-planning for Harden more than Lebron's defense. And Harden was missing some good shots that series, dude was just cold.

And ask Orlando? Yeah, you mean the Dwight's Magic who won over 50 games for 4 seasons and went to the NBA Finals Magic? Yeah, you can't be talking about them.

---

That's the Orlando I'm talking about. Still waiting on that ring from D12. And Harden was guarding Lebron a lot that series so he was maybe a little tired on offense. Just maybe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smittywerb

So you are telling me a healthy Dwight < Harden and Healthy Dwight < Past his prime Dirk? Wow.

---

That's exactly what I'm saying. When you need a clutch bucket who you want taking the shot? Harden, Dirk, or Dwight? Can Dwight even get his own shot when it matters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

That's the Orlando I'm talking about. Still waiting on that ring from D12. And Harden was guarding Lebron a lot that series so he was maybe a little tired on offense. Just maybe.

That's exactly what I'm saying. When you need a clutch bucket who you want taking the shot? Harden, Dirk, or Dwight? Can Dwight even get his own shot when it matters.

---

By the way I like how you concede cp3 better than Dwight. So I'm guessing your top 3 Lebron, CP3, Dwight. So you telling me Dwight better than Durant, Melo, hell a healthy Kobe?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

By the way I like how you concede cp3 better than Dwight. So I'm guessing your top 3 Lebron, CP3, Dwight. So you telling me Dwight better than Durant, Melo, hell a healthy Kobe?

---

During that time period with a healthy Dwight in ORL, yes, my top 3 was Lebron, Wade, Howard, with Kobe at #4 and CP3 at #5.

But now, Lebron, CP3, Durant.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

That's the Orlando I'm talking about. Still waiting on that ring from D12. And Harden was guarding Lebron a lot that series so he was maybe a little tired on offense. Just maybe.

---

If you haven't played for MIA, LA, San Antonio, Houston, Detroit, or BOS, chances are you haven't won one, lol. It's accomplishment for the fact he did it in a market like Orlando, you know, small.

[/QUOTE] That's exactly what I'm saying. When you need a clutch bucket who you want taking the shot? Harden, Dirk, or Dwight? Can Dwight even get his own shot when it matters.[/QUOTE]

Dude, clutch is a factor that makes a player good, just like speed and athleticism. But to say a healthy Dwight who is giving you 20/10 every game is not better than a volume shooting Harden and over the hill Dirk is ridiculous. I'm not the biggest Dwight fan but dude has accomplished a lot, even with his limited game.