MIAMI — The timing of the latest injury to Brook Lopez — 11 days before the NBA trading deadline — could have been better but in reality, the sprained right ankle suffered by the Nets center really should have little impact on the overall attempts to land Dwight Howard via trade.
True, the very last thing a Magic franchise that endured seven years of foot and ankle woes with Grant Hill wants is a damaged specimen in return for their franchise player. But Lopez’s injury — expected to sideline him for three weeks — is just a sprained ankle, the Nets say, and not related to the broken foot he suffered during the preseason, an injury that cost him the first 32 games. Lopez, back in a walking boot, went down Sunday at Charlotte, where Deron Williams scored a personal career, Nets franchise and NBA season-high 57 points.
The Nets, then, remain the one team with the most of what Orlando needs: assets. The Nets have players, draft picks, and salary cap space. You can’t be this bad this long and not have something going for you.
The Nets are playing a waiting game. Their opponent tonight, the Heat, are one of the teams that formulated the Dream Team roster, a plan the Nets seek to copy by adding Howard as Williams’ inside sidekick. That would give the Nets two superstars to bring to their new arena in Brooklyn. Howard wants the Nets, by all accounts. The Nets want Howard. What’s the holdup?
Sources in Orlando maintain the team still clings to the hope Howard will chose to remain with the Magic. In talks with team brass, he proclaims his love of team and city. At least on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The other days, nothing has changed with his trade request.
One source said, “I really don’t think he knows exactly what he wants to do.” A key factor in the Magic stance is 86-year-old owner Rich DeVos does not want to trade Howard.
On days he waffles, Howard then gets reminders of the business opportunities awaiting through the wealth of Mikhail Prokhorov in Brooklyn. Williams, his friend, has been in his ear. That’s why Orlando brass was ticked when of all the players available, the NBA teamed Howard with Williams at an All-Star weekend community event. Williams has picked up endorsements with the Nets which simply would not have been available in Utah. Howard sees that. And Howard knows of Williams’ input on personnel matters, another sore point for him in Orlando.
Orlando’s predicament is clear. The Magic try to persuade Howard to stay. Others tell him to leave.
The Magic risk losing Howard for nothing if he gets to free agency. If they don’t like the Nets’ package, they can look elsewhere. But no one is going to trade for a costly free-agent-to-be who doesn’t want to be there. If necessary, figure Nets general manager Billy King has plans for a 25-team deal. The Nets will do whatever it takes.
There is no set framework in place for a Nets-Magic trade. Orlando still must decide if they want to deal Howard. If they say yes, the Nets have the assets. Magic GM Otis Smith earlier this season said there was no rush because what was available in December would be available in March. True. But what’s available in March won’t be available in July. A sign-and-trade offers little benefit to Howard. He still would get only four years — and head to a team gutted of assets. And as confident as the Nets have been about getting Howard, they are equally confident that, should they fail, they will be able to keep Williams.
Williams’ franchise record 57 points Sunday was the sixth 50-pointer in Nets history, the first since Vince Carter scored 51 on Dec. 23, 2005 in Miami. … The 57 were the most in the NBA since Kobe Bryant’s 61 against the Knicks Feb. 2, 2009. … Williams’ 40 second-half points were the most by a Net in any half. … Williams’ 21-of-21 at the line was the second best showing ever. Dominique Wilkins was 23-of-23 for Atlanta in 1992.