2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - Aug. 10





The Lakers receieve: C-Dwight Howard

The Magic receive: SG-Aaron Afflalo, PF-Al Harrington, C-Nikola Vucevic, SF-Moe Harkless, protected first-round picks from L.A., Philadelphia, and Denver

The 76ers receieve: C-Andrew Bynum, SG-Jason Richardson

The Lakers receieve: G/F-Andre Iguodala

Why this makes sense for Los Angeles:

Everyone I hear talk about this deal keeps using the phrase, "the rich get richer" and that's absolutely the truth. Giving up Bynum, who is entering the final year of his deal, and a first-round pick for the best center in the game is a no brainer especially considering L.A. didn't have to include Pau Gasol in the trade. With Steve Nash and Howard, the Lakers get two All-Star players who help take some of the slack off Kobe Bryant while also re-establishing them among the elite teams in the NBA.

It also gives the Lakers the edge to re-sign Howard since the Dallas Mavericks figure to be their only real competition next summer. He likely won't be in a real rush to sign an extension right away, but once he gets a taste of playing in L.A. along with Kobe, Nash, and Gasol, he won't be in a real rush to get out of town either.



Why this makes sense for Orlando:

The Magic had to deal Howard before the season began. It just wasn't going to be a pretty situation if he was still on the roster come the start of the season since he openly stated that he wanted to be dealt.

What is baffling is how little Orlando got in return for Howard. To only get two quality players, Afflalo and Harrington, who are each under contract through 2015; a pair of young guys in Harkless and Vucevic, who don't project to be stars in the league; and three non-lottery picks is getting 25 cents on the dollar when there were seemingly better offers on the table.

So to recap, the Magic doesn't get any cap relief, great young talents, or valuable lottery picks for Howard. Orlando could easily become one of the worst teams in the league for the next couple of years unless there are other pieces involved in this deal that have not yet been mentioned.



Why this makes sense for Philadelphia:

The Sixers offloaded Iguodala who is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract since he has a player option on his contract for 2013-14, and acquired one of the best bigs in the league. Yes, Bynum is in the final year of his contract as well and will likely test the free agency waters this offseason before he signs an extension, but it is worth the risk for a Philadelphia team needing some better play inside.

Losing Iguodala isn't killer because the 76ers still has Evan Turner, Nick Young, Dorrell Wright and Richardson; all of whom are capable of producing on the wing. With this acquisition, Philadelphia could move into the top four in the Eastern Conference.

If Bynum doesn't end up re-signing with the 76ers, this could be a costly deal moving forward since they ultimately dealt their two most recent first-round picks and a future first-rounder - plus the team still owes Miami a first-round pick from the Arnett Moultrie trade.

Why this makes sense for Denver:

Depth has been the key for the Nuggets post-Carmelo Anthony trade, and this deal lands Denver one of the most versatile wings in the league for a pair of solid role players and future pick. The Nuggets have the depth up front to replace Harrington without missing a beat, and Iguodala is certainly an upgrade on the wing over Afflalo even though the former UCLA Bruin has really improved during the past couple of years.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Mike 07-10-2012 09:58 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1) 15     10 No mention of Ray Ray to the Heat??? SunsFan 07-06-2012 02:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 1) 12     51 Why the MOTHERF U C KING LAKERS!!!!!NASH WHY!!!! CJ 07-05-2012 07:11 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 79     30 Again Banks is clueless, claiming Eric Gordon has already re-signed with New Orleans. Also the 'Clippers' weren't involved in the Marvin Williams/Devin Harris trade. Does this guy even proof read anything he writes? Atrocious. abe 07-05-2012 08:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.87 (total posts: 1) 20     13 walt eric gordon is signing with the suns not the hornets Ben Wallace 07-04-2012 06:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1) 27     72 To be totally honest, Henson and Zeller wouldn't be any better than Meyers Leonard. They are all going to bust. C-3PO 07-04-2012 05:27 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.234 (total posts: 1) 21     9 Eric Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns dumb @ss, New Orleans has yet to match that offer, so he didn't resign like you said. Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2) 27     11 The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen. A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams. Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2) 13     10 The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen. A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams. @CJ 07-03-2012 04:33 am xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1) 17     122 So basically you're asking Walt to fire one "clueless" dumbass for another? lol Whats the point? Rise Above CJ 06-30-2012 04:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 214     108 Paul Banks, yet again showing how clueless he is. Almost every other draft analyst has the Rockets' with a positive ranking. This clown does understand that the Rockets are likely to make trades, with all the assets they've compiled? I agree that Meyers Leonard is probably going to be a bust, but you can't call Portland a 'loser' for stealing the 6th pick from the Nets. How about a 'loser' ranking for the Cavs for reaching so much for Dion Waiters? Or trading all their other picks for another likely bust in Tyler Zeller? But Banks has a 'man crush' (not that there's anything wrong with that) on Waiters, so he'd never mark the Cavs down. Fire this guy Walt, I'll work for free! Ben 06-25-2012 09:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.254 (total posts: 1) 11     23 So....Henson is overrated because he has trouble keeping and putting on weight and strength. And you stated that size and strength is everything in the nba for a big. But....isn't Davis just as if not more lanky and undersized than Henson....? And Henson is only one year older and both have similar wingspans? Just a thought.. @Live 06-22-2012 10:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.15 (total posts: 1) 12     9 You are an idiot, you apparently don't know how basketball trades work, its all about salary dumping. IN the NBA you are either rebuilding, championship contender, or youar e going to stay consistently medicore. They were never going ot win a championship with Okafor and Ariza taking up that much money on their books. Live 06-22-2012 04:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.80 (total posts: 1) 9     70 Washington - B Hornets - Big fat F Sure the Hornets is going to waive Lewis and relieve cap space to sign Gordon to a longer deal and draft Anthony Davis but so what! They let go a great defensive guy that can hit 3s here and there. They got NOTHING in return for Ariza and Okafor but a 2nd rounder. I didn't like what the Hornets got in return and it was a bad deal IMO. Vince 06-19-2012 04:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.99 (total posts: 1) 42     9 It was a play on words, not a pun. More importantly, know who else couldn't bench press 185 pounds at the NBA Combine? This one player called Kevin Durant. Ben 04-15-2012 09:06 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.65 (total posts: 1) 29     21 I like how only one of these players actually got traded Pages: 1 2 34 5 6 7

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