NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Foolish to Pursue Dwight Howard
The Golden State Warriors are serious about entering into the Dwight Howard sweepstakes this summer, but no matter what the outcome is, they will end up losers.
According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the W’s are fine with trading for Howard with absolutely no guarantee that he would remain in the Bay Area when his contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.
"source says Golden State still willing to trade for Dwight Howard without having commitment from him beyond next season
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 2, 2012"
This is a foolish move that reeks of desperation from the organization. They have a great rebuilding effort in the works that could make a breakthrough as early as next season.
The core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, Andrew Bogut, and now Harrison Barnes is extremely promising. Dissolving that group for one season with a petulant big man who has thrown his franchise under the bus is ludicrous.
This team created a major shakeup when they traded away high-volume scorer Monta Ellis for the defensive-minded Bogut at the deadline in March. Golden State should at least give the oft-injured center a chance to make an impression, as he will come into the 2012-13 season completely healthy barring any setbacks.
Another major red flag with Howard is that he has made it clear he will only sign an extension with the Brooklyn Nets if he is traded. He fully plans to test the free-agent market if he remains with the Orlando Magic or is moved to another locale.
If he were shipped to Oakland via trade, the odds that three-time Defensive Player of the Year would elect to stay with the W’s is slim to none. The gamble required to obtain Howard and then somehow convince him to stay just isn’t worthwhile for the franchise.
In addition, D12 would bring a media circus with him if he were to move from the Magic Kingdom. As a rebuilding team on the cusp of competing, Golden State cannot afford these distractions. His teammates and head coach Mark Jackson would be hit with constant questions about Dwight’s future that would likely rip the locker room apart.
It’s just too much of a risk and too little of a reward for the Golden State Warriors to acquire Dwight Howard, and they must abandon any plans they have to try and facilitate such a deal.
