NBA Trade Speculation: 10 Reasons Dwight Howard Could Be the Next Star to Go
With the Carmelo Anthony drama over, we turn attention to the next big question on everyone’s mind: who’s next?
Let’s face it, this isn’t your grandfather's NBA. These days superstars don’t give hometown discounts, they don’t stay loyal to the team that drafted them and they sure don’t mind sharing the spotlight with another superstar.
While Melo and Amar'e Stoudemire are getting cozy in New York, we know start turning our attention to the one superstar more likely to make a jump than people think: Dwight Howard.
Orlando’s big man has been a Godsend for the Magic, but his days in the town that Mickey built could be drawing to a close. Whether it be this offseason or the next, Howard could be on his way out, and here is why.
10. Howard Hasn't Signed an Extension Yet
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First off, Dwight Howard is telling anyone who will listen that there is nothing he can do about his contract situation right now. That is anything but the truth. When Howard penned his five-year deal in 2007, he was locked into it without an extension option until 2010. That date has arrived and Howard has the option to sign a two-year, $42.56 million deal.
But he has not yet. If Howard was truly committed to the Magic he could have signed by now, but he hasn’t.
9. Howard Is Already Passing on More Money
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There are those who would point to Howard wanting to wait until he can sign another max deal, but it would be in his best interest to sign now. After this year, the NBA is likely to lock out the players until a new CBA is signed.
Rumor has it that not only will David Stern call for a reduction in the salary cap, but that he is going to put a lower limit on the max contract. This means that if Dwight is waiting to sign the max contract, he’s waiting to lose considerable money.
8. He Can Make More Money Elsewhere
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Howard, just like every player, wants to get paid and so he has to wonder if the best place to do that is in Orlando. Sure, they can pay him more than any other team would be willing to, but these days stars are making big money off the court.
LeBron James has amassed most of his fortune from his own personal brand the same way Jordan did before him. You make more money the better television market that you are in. For instance, being in New York (where he is not expected to go) or Los Angeles (where he is rumored to want to go), has a much stronger TV market than Orlando which is the 19th biggest market in the country. Howard is more marketable when he plays outside of Orlando.
7. The Magic Have Financial Concerns Too
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Now, speaking of marketing, the Magic have to see their own financial limitations. As it stands, with the cap being at $58 million a team, the Magic are at $89 million. With the new CBA, the cap will be well below what it is now, and that could mean that they would have to pay more in luxury tax if Howard signs the proposed extension.
Of course, the Magic would be more than willing to do it because they have a lot of money invested in the arena, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt them. They already are signed on for Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu, for a combined $27 million a year over the next four years. Add that with Howard’s proposed $21 million a year and you are looking at $48 million a year for just three players.
Now, they won’t find many takers for those bad contracts for Arenas and Turkoglu, but they could find real value for Howard. Again, it’s not the ideal situation, but it’s better than him walking and they get nothing.
6. The Magic Will Have Their Hands Tied
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The blockbuster trade the Magic pulled off earlier in the season was management plea to Howard to stay in Orlando. The trade made them better, but will it make them winners? It’s hard to imagine with the teams in contention now that Orlando is poised to beat any of them.
So where do the Magic go from here? Since most of their money is tied up in three players, there isn’t much room to acquire new talent. If they can’t win with this core talent, what makes Howard think they’ll be any better in the short term?
5. Orlando Will Never Be Better Than Good
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Sometimes it’s not just about the economics of a situation. It’s about a good career move. Howard isn’t stupid. He knows that Hedo and Arenas are good players, but probably aren’t the players that are going to get him a ring that he wants. If L.A is there in 2012, why wouldn’t he make the decision to go play for a winner? At that point Kobe should still have a few years left and Gasol and Odom still have time. He could add quite a lot of years to that team.
Orlando is a good team, but good teams don’t win NBA titles. Great teams do. Howard is beginning to see the difference.
4. The East Is a Beast
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Maybe the Magic can get better, but the real problem is that the Eastern conference isn’t getting worse. The Heat are going to be a force for years to come. If the Knicks can land a point guard for the future, they’ll be battling.
The Bulls have a strong team that is capable of beating Orlando, and the Celtics have Rondo, Perkins and if the possible lockout forces next season to be shortened, that could be ideal for an older Celtics team.
The point is, if Orlando is getting better, they are getting worse, and that doesn’t make Howard want to stay. The road to the Finals gets harder every offseason. He might want to go where his road is easier.
3. A Better Team Is Better for His Health
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Howard also has to think about his health. For the last five years, no big man has given more minutes than Howard. While 35 minutes(his average this season) are less than Kobe Bryant or LeBron James is playing, it’s not an apples to apples comparison.
The toll an NBA game takes on a big man is much different than anyone else. Regardless of the great shape that Howard is in, too many minutes will only lead to leg and feet problems which is death for a big man.
Howard could go to a contender where he wouldn’t be asked to carry the load like he does in Orlando and it could put a few more years on his career.
2. Howard Is at His Best Value Now
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If the Magic are hearing the same whispers that Howard wants out from the Magic, there is no better time to trade him than now. Beside that there are a host of teams out there who would be interested in the games best center, there are also a number of teams out there who could give value for Howard.
Now, there is very few scenarios where the Magic would ever get equal value for Howard, but it’s better than him walking away. Just talk to the Magic about Shaq.
1. Because He Doesn't Have to Stay
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There is no concrete reason why Howard should leave the Magic, except that he can because it’s the way the NBA is these day. Ever since “The Decision” it’s not about being loyal to the team that loves you the most. It’s about doing what you think is best for yourself and your needs.
People often assume that athletes have this predisposition to do whatever pays them the most, but we forget that while there is a satisfaction in making the most of your financial potential, there is also something to be said about getting your brains beat in every night, or always coming up short in the playoffs just for more money you can get off the court.
I’m not saying Howard doesn’t want to get paid, it’s that it might not be paramount in his decision. He might actually care about winning too. And if he does, then there are easier places to do it than in Orlando, and don't think Dwight doesn’t know it.
