The Upcoming Offseason and Dwight Howard

by steeltown86 on Dec 28, 2011 9:13 PM EST

Remember when Kevin Garnett didn't want to get traded to the Celtics? When his preferred destination was the Lakers? When he was almost traded there? Well, Danny Ainge was able to change his mind by trading for Ray Allen. Then, not only would Garnett be forming a duo with Paul Pierce by going to Boston, but along with Allen, they formed a Big Three. The point is, teaming up with two other stars is enough appeal to go to a team that you previously did not want to go to.

Same thing with LeBron James. Before he made his final Decision, LeBron was trying to court Chris Bosh to join him in Cleveland. I'm not sure whether or not he was planning on going to the Heat all along, but once Bosh decided to team up with Wade, LeBron immediately decided that he too would take his talents to South Beach.

What does this have to do with Dwight Howard? As of now, his list of preferred destinations include LA, Dallas, and NJ/Brooklyn. Note that none of those teams have more than one star already. Even LA, with Gasol and Bynum to go along with Kobe, would have to dump one of them to be able to afford Kobe. And the Nets can't guarantee that D-Will will be on their roster next year either.

Following this year, the Celtics one star will be Rajon Rondo, with Paul Pierce still around as well. In order to convince Dwight to come to Boston, Danny Ainge will have to bring someone in a la Ray Allen a few years ago. The specific person I'm thinking of is recently-traded New Orleans Hornets SG Eric Gordon. Gordon is a fantastic young player, and he is a RFA following this season. The Hornets would be able to give him a qualifying offer, but I doubt the ownerless franchise can outbid the offer that Wyc Grousbeck can make. Once Gordon is on the team, I believe Howard would be much more open to signing with Boston, who at that point would have 2 young stars in Rondo and Gordon, as well as Pierce and ex-teammate Brandon Bass also signed.

Now, I understand that there are a few things that must happen for this to be possible. One is that neither Howard nor Gordon are either traded nor signed long term before the end of the season. NO just traded for Gordon, I don't think they are letting him go so soon. And for some reason Otis Smith seems to think that Dwight Howard will resign with Orlando after the season, so he won't trade him either. Basically, if all goes right, the Celtics have an opportunity to reestablish itself once again as the best team in the NBA going forward. Whether or not this specific scenario plays out, I am sure Ainge will make some moves to make the team better. Good things happen to teams under the salary cap.

Assuming that the Celtics sign both Gordon and Howard long term, perhaps Ainge can also convince KG and Allen to come back for another year or two. They won't make much money anywhere, Boston could sign them cheap.

In this scenario, this is the Celtic's roster next year:

PG: Rondo, Bradley, Moore

SG: Gordon, Allen

SF: Pierce, Green

PF: Garnett, Bass, Johnson

C: Howard, _______

How's that for an offseason?

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

why don't they go after D-Will instead?

I mean.. I think he can play the SG position as well, like the duo of Paul-Billups with the Clips.

by ball is green on Dec 28, 2011 9:47 PM EST reply actions

id rather an actual SG. besides, d-will will cost more than gordan probably

by steeltown86 on Dec 28, 2011 9:53 PM EST reply actions

Unless Garnett and Allen sign for the veteran minimum there no way

Around 19 million in cap room next offseason with only rondo pierce bass Moore Johnson And Bradley under contract plus Dwight’s current contract. Currently Allen plus Garnett is 31 million so they combined have to be 19 or less and that’s before getting another star

by JuJuan some moore on Dec 28, 2011 10:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions

kg and allen were just the cherry on top

the real point im trying to make is about getting gordon then dwight

by steeltown86 on Dec 28, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

like your thinking

Sometimes need to think out of the box— who says you can’t have a 2 guard that was once a scoring point guard (Jamaal Crawford). if you are looking to run, this type of combo could work well. As a former coach, I ran a two guard set that allowed an open post to encourage penetration and kick outs. Without a dominant post player, this is your only hope score consistently against good defenses.

by P stoff on Dec 29, 2011 12:22 AM EST reply actions

I like the thought, but I don’t think there is anyway that NO lets gordon just walk as a free agent this summer… they will have the team sold by then, and I doubt they new owner will not want to keep him long term and they have the right to match..

The only way the celtics get howard is through a trade, and that is a long shot at best.. he is already pretty much letting it be known where he wants to play and boston isn’t on that list.. surprisingly, he doesnt’ seem to want to go to chicago either, which is just dumb since a team of him and rose would be incredible for years to come..

by antibucher on Dec 29, 2011 11:32 AM EST reply actions

if NO could decide simply not to let Gordon walk

then they wouldn’t have traded Chris Paul. the fact is, that even with a new owner, the franchise does not have the financial means necessary to keep its best players. also, no matter how much money they offer I believe that the Celtics could and should offer more (unless it gets near Joe Johnson type money). The fact is that the NBA today is lacking in quality SGs and Centers. If the Celtics could get the best C in the league and the best young SG as well, I think we will be set for years

by steeltown86 on Dec 29, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions