NBA Trade Rumors: Will Dumping Rudy Fernandez Free Up Space for Dwight Howard?
Mark Cuban is rich, loud-mouthed and opinionated, but he is also a shrewd owner that is a proven winner, and he may have just pulled off another epic coup.
ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted the Dallas Mavericks made another major move on Tuesday that should have repercussions affecting the best center in the world.
Dallas has been a major player in what has been a manic preseason. In a sport that usually sees the Lakers pulling off ridiculous maneuvers that make them stronger without giving up much, the Mavericks are the team showing others how it's done currently.
They pulled off a move to get Lamar Odom for pittance. The thought is that the Lakers wanted to dump salary for no reason at all. Well, the Mavericks have seemingly done the same, but for an end game that would transform then into a Dallas dynasty.
A source recently divulged to ESPN that Howard has a list of teams that he would sign an extension with. Those teams are the Mavericks, Lakers and Nets. He would also welcome an extension with the Magic with the caveat that the team be improved.
There are two avenues that will take place concerning Howard in the near future. He will either be dealt to another team when Orlando feels they have no hope of keeping the best big in the business.
Or, he will stay on and test the free-agent market. The thought that he would sign an extension with the Magic before next summer is simply ludicrous.
The Mavericks have a squad that contend now, even without Howard gracing their locker room. They now have a great deal more cash than they did before to make room for a behemoth signing.
You see, Lakers, cash dumps should come with a sense of purpose. A blog from the Fort Worth Star Telegram explains the end game.
"The space is needed because the Mavs are trying to get their hands on either Dwight Howard, Deron Williams or Chris Paul -- the prize of next summer’s big free agents.
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Howard is showing much more resolve to stay in Orlando, at least for the duration of this shortened season. He is certainly hoping the Magic can pull off some major moves to assuage his fears.
The Mavericks join every other team expecting them to fail miserably in their cause freeing up Howard to sign with just about any team.
It is beyond obvious that a frontline of Howard, Dirk Nowitzki and Lamar Odom would be extremely enticing.
Cash dumps are never sexy, but I am head over heels for this move.
