NBA Rumors: Warriors' Interest in Dwight Howard Makes No Sense

The new regime of the Golden State Warriors has done everything in its power to assure fans that things are going to be a little different moving forward. No longer are the Dubs going to be a Western Conference doormat.

Meanwhile, the actual team continues to be a Western Conference doormat. 

Clearly, it needs an upgrade, preferably a big one.

Dwight Howard would do nicely.

Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com reported on Tuesday that the Warriors are still fighting the good fight on that front:

"

Warriors continuing push for Dwight Howard deal even without DH commitment to re-signing. Not backing off from risky move, source says.

— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) February 28, 2012"

"Risky" doesn't quite cut it in this case, especially not when you consider what the Warriors would have to give up.

Howard-Cooper speculated about that part:

"

Biedrins has zero trade value, so GSW offer has to be 3-4 key pieces. Imagine moving Monta, Klay, others and DH walks. But Dubs staying in.

— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) February 28, 2012"

Make no mistake about it. To get Howard, the Warriors would have to part with some heavy hitters.

Seeing as how they wouldn't know for sure whether they would be able to keep Howard beyond this season, that wouldn't be risky. That would be stupid.

Yes, the Warriors would be getting a superstar if they were to trade for Howard. But since it would cost the Warriors a couple key players to get him, Howard would be joining a gutted team.

A superstar would stand in a spot where several capable players once stood. The Warriors will have gotten a talent upgrade, but a depth downgrade. The Warriors would not be night and day better with Howard than they are without him.

As such, making the playoffs this season would still be a stretch. Howard would certainly solve the Warriors' big man issues, but without a wealth of talent around him, he'd be in a situation no better than the one he's currently in with Orlando. Since he'd have to adapt to new teammates and a new coach, odds are things would be even worse.

This would not be a good environment in which to convince Howard to stick around in the Bay Area, something that he's already refusing to keep an open mind about. It would be too easy for him to ride it out and then take his talents elsewhere in the offseason.

If Howard were to join the Warriors only to walk, they'd be faced with a rebuilding project that would trump the rebuilding project the team is already facing.

Yes, a message would be sent if the Warriors were to try and succeed in their pursuit of Howard. To some, it would read: "Look how hard we're trying to make this team good!"

For everyone else, the message would read: "We have no clue what we're doing!"

Meanwhile, the Warriors would be a Western Conference doormat.

'Tis the team's lot in life, it seems.