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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

Captain Obvious 06-24-2011 10:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.25 (total posts: 1)

You said:
"After Thursday evening, it will mark three years in a row that a point guard went first overall..."
WTF happened to Blake Griffin??? LOL.

waltair 06-21-2011 09:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

waltare you need a cheif editor this is bad

Walter 06-21-2011 01:43 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Thanks, Fitz. Fixed.

Austin 06-19-2011 01:18 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.49 (total posts: 1)

If Leonard can prove he is capable of knocking down shots, the raptors might reach for him at five, he can provide the rebounding that their bigs, not pointing fingers but a seven foot i-tie, don't. It's a reach for sure, but it might be a good fit. He will also improve their abominable defense.

Fitz 06-18-2011 01:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Well the Tristan Thompson article is good.

The Hamilton Article has one mistake.In the 1st paragraph it says, "there are concerns about him about him being dialed in..." You put "about him" twice.

Walter 06-17-2011 01:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha thanks for that. I definitely won't hate you for it. It's hard to proofread at 2 am.

Fitz 06-16-2011 03:46 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea i understand. Gotta make that paper ha.

Btw, in the last paragraph of the Singleton article it needs to say, "never will BE a star". Right now its says, "never will a star".

I decided I'm gonna keep gonna keep correcting your articles until you start hating me

Walter 06-14-2011 01:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha definitely not my morals. It's what the advertisers and Google want, and since this is my main source of income, I have to do as they say.

Fitz 06-13-2011 02:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea I figured it was probably just bad grammar on Liggins' part but I figured I would correct it just in case.

You cant say anything with a** in it or sh*t and a few others such as d*ck and so on and so forth. I understand if you have to do it because of advertisers and things like that, but I hope it's not because of your morals haha

Walter 06-13-2011 01:42 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Thanks, Fitz. I made some of the corrections.

Two of them were wrong though because that's how the quote was said. You should never fix the grammar in the quote if that's how the player said it.

What specific filter are you talking about?

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

*Hands instead of hand.

Haha i f'ed up while correcting your f ups. And you need to get rid of the bad language filter on here imo. It's annoying

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt- Well the first sentence did say Every year i scratch at instead of scratch my head at, but i guess u just fixed that recently.

In the 3rd paragraph you say "the extremely talent bunch of recruits coming to Kentucky...". It should be TALENTED bunch

5th paragraph- "We had other guys who more highly recruited than me..." Should be "other guys who WERE more highly recruited than me"

7th paragraph- "but he never showed a consistency in attacking the basket." you need to take out the A.

8th paragraph- Hands instead of hands in " I didn't have the ball in my hand a lot"

I'm not trying to be a grammar nazi btw. Just trying to help out.

JimB 06-11-2011 09:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.14 (total posts: 1)

I believe he'll get drafted. His offense has improved year after year, he keeps improving his all around game and is reasonably athletic. I watched him play a lot at KY and his D is top notch. What team wouldn't want a wing player to come in off the bench and defend tirelessly and well, rebound, scrap for loose balls, and score if left open. He's the perfect player for that role, and a team first player as well. 2nd round to the Knicks or Celtics....

Walter 06-11-2011 01:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Where are the errors?

Fitz 06-10-2011 03:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt, did you really edit this? Because there are still a ton of errors. If you ever want someone to proofread your stuff I'll be more than happy to. It's part of my job so I know what I'm doing. And trust me, you need it ha.

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NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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