NBA Off-Season 2013 Trades/Signings (Dwight-->Rockets)

[Ridders]

In fairness to Dwight this current situation is more the media's fault than his. There's obviously plenty of people trying to get the story first, and thus reporting stuff that may not be confirmed.

Dwight hasn't announced anything official yet either way.

 

[BunniesMan]

@AlexKennedyNBA 45s It's Houston. Source close to Dwight Howard confirms that he'll join the Rockets. He'll inform the Lakers and make an official announcement.

Dwight changed his mind 3 times in 24 hours before the trade deadline in his last year in Orlando.

Anything could still happen.

If he does go Houston, Houston/OKC/GSW/LAC are next years top 4 in the west.

And all eyes to 2014 free agent class for the Lakers.

 

[Ridders]

Apparently Mitch Kupchak has confirmed that Dwight isn't returning.

The following statement has been issued by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

"We have been informed of Dwight's decision to not return to the Lakers

Naturally we're disappointed. However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise and, as always, will do our best to build the best team possible, one our great lakers fans will be proud to support. To Dwight, we thank him for his time and consideration, and for his efforts with us last season. We wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his NBA career."

Link

Houston it is.

 

[BunniesMan]

Much more class from Kupchak than Dan Gilbert when Lebron left. And IMO Kupchak has more reason to be upset.

I'm still shocked that a major star has walked away from the Lakers when they wanted to give him a maximum contract. When is the last time that has happened?

 

[BunniesMan]

His official twitter profile pic.

It's done.

He has done wonders for Lebrons reputation. Makes Lebrons decision look amazing well thought out in comparison.

 

[BunniesMan]

I am the furthest thing from a Lakers fan but what he has done to that franchise is disgusting. To go out of your way to demand a trade to a franchise that has to give away valuable pieces, and then walk away a year later is lower than low.

In comparison:
Lebron has never demanded a trade.
Lebron has fulfilled every contract he has ever signed.
Lebron actually made decisions and stuck with them.

 

[Ridders]

Dwight actually allowed Orlando to get something for him.

I don't hold too much against Dwight tbh, mainly because of how the whole Bynum situation played out. I would obviously feel a lot differently if Bynum went on to have a good season with the Sixers and had stayed healthy.

I think Dwight's first preference was always the Nets, but he botched that by waiving his ETO while with the Magic.

 

[Big Mick]

This whole "He's leaving $30m on the table" logic is f**king stupid

Even comparing 5 years vs 4 years he is only leaving $9.3m off the table after factoring in taxes.

I'm pretty sure that 5th year...that Dwight will earn more than $9.3m.

Being in Houston and as the face of the franchise...he'll also be more exposed to the Chinese market as Houston has a heavy Asian influence.

As for Dwight vs LeBron decisions...What exactly has Dwight done here that is bad? Did he string it along? no...he met with all of the teams and went away for a couple of days and made a decision. LeBron embarrassed his teams fans by flaunting it on National TV that he was "Going to South Beach".

Even LeBron says that was a dumb move.

We are getting on Dwight because he changed his twitter avatar? fmd....

He warned LA last year he was going to test Free Agency...and he did...and found a team that isn't full of pensioners. Good on him.

Am I a fan of Dwight? no...not really. I don't like how he flip-flops but the media hype is as much to blame as he is and he handled FA the right way this time around imo.

 

[Big Mick]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 56s
Dwight Howard took his meetings, left for two-plus days to think, made a decision, flew to LA, told Lakers face-to-face and called Houston.

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 46s
Howard hasn't handled past 2 years well - extremely poorly, in many instances -- but he did handle the end of this free agency process fine.


So Dwight actually flew to LA and told the Lakers face to face he was signing with the Rockets.

His GM didn't find out about it the same time as a TV Show was aired...

 

[unbreaK]

Paul Millsap will sign a two-year, $19 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

Didn't see that coming.

 

[Big Mick]

@Jonathan_Feigen: Barring any Rockets deals between now and day Dwight signs, the oldest guy on the roster? Dwight Howard, 27.

 

[Ridders]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 56s
Dwight Howard took his meetings, left for two-plus days to think, made a decision, flew to LA, told Lakers face-to-face and called Houston.

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 46s
Howard hasn't handled past 2 years well - extremely poorly, in many instances -- but he did handle the end of this free agency process fine.


So Dwight actually flew to LA and told the Lakers face to face he was signing with the Rockets.

His GM didn't find out about it the same time as a TV Show was aired...

Yeah credit to Howard for telling Mitch face to face. Classy move.

The media really botched it though by trying to jump in front of the story and make it seem as though by going back to LA, he was 50-50 on whether to go to Houston.

 

[BunniesMan]

This whole "He's leaving $30m on the table" logic is f**king stupid

Even comparing 5 years vs 4 years he is only leaving $9.3m off the table after factoring in taxes.

I'm pretty sure that 5th year...that Dwight will earn more than $9.3m.

Being in Houston and as the face of the franchise...he'll also be more exposed to the Chinese market as Houston has a heavy Asian influence.

As for Dwight vs LeBron decisions...What exactly has Dwight done here that is bad? Did he string it along? no...he met with all of the teams and went away for a couple of days and made a decision. LeBron embarrassed his teams fans by flaunting it on National TV that he was "Going to South Beach".

Even LeBron says that was a dumb move.

We are getting on Dwight because he changed his twitter avatar? fmd....

He warned LA last year he was going to test Free Agency...and he did...and found a team that isn't full of pensioners. Good on him.

Am I a fan of Dwight? no...not really. I don't like how he flip-flops but the media hype is as much to blame as he is and he handled FA the right way this time around imo.

Not this day by itself. But the entire two years. Quitting on Orlando and demanding a trade alone is worse than what Lebron did.

Lebron f**ked up 1 hour. Nothing he did upto that point was wrong. He f**ked up the execution of the decision.

Dwight Howard has f**ked up two years. Orlando had a trade they were happier with in New Jersey. He changed his mind 3 times in 24 hours before the trade deadline. Decides to stick with them. Several months later changes his mind and demands a trade to LA. He forces LA to trade away pieces to get him. He then walks away a year later.

Dwight Howard might not have done anything wrong today but he has been f**king things up for people around him for two years.

 

[simostorm]

Within about a year Houston go from having Martin as there best player to now having Howard and Harden and being possibly top 4 in the west.

 

[simostorm]

Andrew Bynum's available as a free agent isnt he? Wonder if he'd ever want to go back to LA.

 

[Ridders]

Andrew Bynum's available as a free agent isnt he? Wonder if he'd ever want to go back to LA.

God I hope not. The Lakers wouldn't be able to sign him anyway (over the cap)

I like Bynum a lot and what he did while he was at the Lakers, but I'd be terrified of giving him guaranteed money.

 

[simostorm]

Well I guess that's that with Dwight.. onto the next one now.. Josh Smith will now become the next sort after guy I guess. and Monta Ellis..

One article has Monta Ellis in Chicago's sights.

 

[BunniesMan]

Now for 12 months of Lebron to LA speculation?

 

[unbreaK]

Now for 12 months of Lebron to LA speculation?

There's bound to be speculation, but I think he'll go back to Cleveland.

 

[Big Mick]

Within about a year Houston go from having Martin as there best player to now having Howard and Harden and being possibly top 4 in the west.

Not just that but 12 months ago Howard laughed at the prospect of playing in Houston.

So turning Kevin Martin into James Harden....has actually turned Kevin Martin into James Harden AND Dwight Howard.

Amazing how 12 months changes things.


In other news, Josh Smith has signed with the Pistons for 4 years $56m....

I'm surprised he didn't get more than that tbh.