ORLANDO, Fla. — During my All-Star stay, I conducted an informal poll. Various workers — cabbies, hotel security staff, waiters, airport employees, as well as Mickey and Minnie — were asked how they feel about Dwight Howard’s self-driven impending probable departure, either before the NBA’s March 15 trade deadline or at season’s end when he has the right to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.
To a person, the response was essentially the same:
They’d like nothing better than to continue to root for Howard but they’re wilted by his whine, and thus are raring for him to go so the Magic can start searching for a franchise player who wants to be here.
Howard’s desire to duck out the back, Jack and make a new plan, Stan, is nearly as big turnoff as alleged consummate conceit.
“Dwight is always making it seem like the Magic were nothin’ before he arrived,” groused an Orlando International Airport baggage handler. “We’ve had Shaq, Penny and Tracy McGrady before he arrived in 2004. The team was pretty good when we had those guys. And, you know what, we’ll be pretty good again after he leaves. Plenty of players … and people … know paradise when they find it by luck or whatever, even if Dwight doesn’t.”
In the second half of Sunday’s rigid resistance society, Craig Sager reported Magic owner Rich DeVos had just informed him Howard might not get traded by the deadline. The TNT sideline reporter added Dwight’s mother, Sheryl, told him moments ago she felt her son should remain in Orlando.
“That’s her opinion,” Howard later underlined, declining to expound on the taboo subject.
To backdate the “news” story, Sheryl’s opinion is shared by Dwight Sr., and one they frequently share with him, apparently to no avail. While I don’t doubt Dwight is greatly influenced in many areas of his life by his parents’ teachings, beliefs and pointed suggestions, his free agent decision is definitely his call and no one else’s … other than agent Dan Fegan, of course.
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Meanwhile, back at the trading post, some deals may actually be getting close to finalization and the Lakers are in middle of them. They’re determined to acquire a point guard sooner than two weeks from now. If it’s a multi-player transaction, Pau Gasol will be sacrificed. Should the Magic change their mind about accepting Andrew Bynum for Howard (Pau’s inclusion might do it), Jameer Nelson would almost have to be part of the package unless an above-average ball-handler can be obtained elsewhere.
That someone could be Ramon Sessions ($4.2 million/$4.5 million). The Lakers are doing some fast talking to the Cavaliers, who are swamped by calls, as are the Kings. Sacramento leads the league in cap room, $9.4 million, whereas Cleveland has $7.1 million. Teams want them to take contracts for draft picks so they can maneuver.
For example, the Raptors are trying to move Leandro Barbosa’s expiring contract ($7.6 million) in hopes of signing restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a financial arrangement Denver might be reluctant to match. The Nuggets undeniably appreciate Chandler’s on and off-court qualities, but is he good enough to start at small forward? Hence, they’re not forced to go overboard as long as they’re bidding against themselves.
The Lakers, also in dire need of a legitimate scoring threat at small forward, have genuine interest in Michael Beasley, but it’s doubtful they’ll use the $8.9 million trade exception (from Lamar Odom being shipped to Dallas) to acquire him because of the increased luxury tax consequences stemming from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman recently committed to boosting Derrick Williams’ minutes, making Beasley extraneous. Minnesota is pushing hard to relocate his $6.2 million expiring contract and have the Nets and Celtics leaning.
According to suspect reports, Kyle Lowry and Raymond Felton are additional caretakers the Lakers covet. While it can’t be complicated to get the Blazers to give up Felton, who radically regressed this season (10. 2 points, 6.2 assists, 25 percent from three, 37 percent overall), why would L.A. want someone struggling so badly?
Regarding the Rockets, as much as I like Pau, why would you surrender someone having a season of near All-Star proportions (career highs in points, 15.6 and assists, 7.6) along with Luis Scola, who’s almost as good as Gasol and twice as tough?Houston general manager Daryl Morey admittedly made one monster mistake when he waived Jeremy Lin (surely you didn’t think I could write a column without mentioning his name) so I guess he’s certainly capable of making another one … except he repudiates the story.
A strong case could be made the Warriors have the league’s worst starting center and small forward. At the very least, Andris Biedrins and Dorell Wright are in the heart of the discussion. Thankfully, Mark Jackson has Ekpe Udoh and Brandon Rush in reserve. Let us pray you know that’s a joke.
Obviously, Golden State is in the hunt for a big man on infertile plains. Chris Kaman ($12.7 million) might be it. Yes, he can score and rebound in double figures when he’s fit and fully functioning. But it doesn’t make sense to relinquish an asset to rescue a player no other team wants and nobody likes to play with.
At least nobody wanted Kaman until Mike Dunleavy’s group became the favorite to buy the Hornets. If you recall, the former Clippers coach/president was the one who drafted the 7-footer and re-signed him for major money. In that case, the Warriors might luck out.
There are renewed rumblings about the Warriors possibly getting Brook Lopez from the Nets in a multi-team deal involving Howard. That would cost them big time, though; Monta Ellis would be part of the Magic’s compensation.
Seems to me Dwyane Wade earned a one-game suspension for breaking Kobe Bryant’s nose in the All-Star Game. In essence, he said his hard foul was payback for Bryant fouling him twice. “I didn’t try to draw blood,” Wade said, “but he’s still ahead by one.” Case closed.
This just in from a Texas source, who’s hearing Odom is trying to get a buyout. “Don’t be surprised if the Mavs oblige. He’s just not happy in Dallas. Maybe his wife is making him.”