Josh Howard trade rumors

[silverbear]

talent wise, the mavs abused the wizards in this trade.

And once again, this trade was not about talent for the Wizards... it was about a) getting under the luxury tax this season (they're still like 2.6 mil over it), and b) creating cap room to pursue some of the big free agents this offseason...

So, if you understand what the deal was about from the Wizards' standpoint (and hey, there are a lot of Wiz fans who don't seem to understand it), then you know that they didn't get "abused" at all... and you'll understand the next trade or two likely in the next 48 hours...

Truth is, the Wizards needed to do this, and probably waited too long to start the process... Butler, Jamison and Arenas combined had contracts that were killing the team's ability to improve itself...

I see this all as a preliminary to Ted Leonsis taking over, and hopefully turning the Wizards around the way he did the Capitals...

and i hope they are able to get rid of arenas and rebuild in the draft

A few weeks ago, I would have considered that a given, but now I'm hearing that they might keep him... I'm a little undecided how I feel about that; on the one hand, if the team's going into rebuilding mode, they might as well go all the way, but on the other hand, I've always enjoyed watching Arenas play... he's just fun to watch...

FWIW, my "inside sources" that have proven so accurate in this thread is really just one-- Michael Lee, who writes the Wizards Insider blog for the Washington Post... and he has the Cavaliers trading Zilgauskas and Jamario Moon and a first round pick, for Jamison and Mike James... the Wizards would love to ship James out, for cap relief, and he'd like to be gone, too... Ilgauskas is on the final year of his deal, creating even more cap flexibility in the offseason, but the Wiz would really prefer to get JJ Hickson instead of Moon...

There's also a rumor that Nick Young may be shipped out, haven't heard to who, or for what... it'll be an interesting next 48 hours for us Wizards fans, and more entertaining watching them play the next few games, see how the new pieces fit together...

 

[silverbear]

Gooden has played fantastic ball this year and I hope Dallas gets him back next year.

I've never been a fan of his but he earned my respect this season.

The Washington Post reports that he wants the Wizards to buy out his contract, and was a day late reporting to them for that reason... if they did, he could wind up back with the Mavs sooner rather than later, but apparently the Wiz would prefer to keep him around the rest of the season...

 

[silverbear]

what about Jamison?

In 48 hours, he'll either be a Cavalier or a Celtic, with the former the more likely...

I love the guy, his game is butt-ugly but he gets it done... and he does things the right way, a true pro... so I'll miss him on my favorite team, but I'll feel good if he goes to a team that has a chance to make a serious playoff run... he deserves it...

 

[silverbear]

I wish the Wizards would go back to being the Bullets and their red/white/blue uniforms

Can't tell you how much I hate their current unis...

 

[silverbear]

Hey Silver, or anyone else, I heard the Wizards may buyout Goodens contract?

Have you heard anything about this?

Gooden would really like that to happen, but apparently the Wizards want to keep him for the rest of the season... as comical as this sounds, they have not totally given up on trying to make a late push for the playoffs... and even with all they've lost, adding Gooden, Howard and Ilgauskas to the mix would give them some talent... if the new players meshed quickly, they could conceivably play better ball the rest of the season and sneak in as a 7th or 8th seed...

It's unlikely, I admit, but that appears to be why they don't want to settle with Gooden... now, if they're unable to get under the luxury tax with any trades over the next day or two, they might change their minds; they really, really don't want to pay the luxury tax for a team that might well be a lottery team (and who can blame them??)...

 

[silverbear]

The problem with the idea of adding a top FA is it's still Washington and not a top destination for top FA. They can't just overpay, due to the salary structure in the NBA.

Teams able to add max deals next year will be plenty, so if anything, this just saves $$$ for Washington ownership.

I'll predict right now that the Wizards will land one of the premier free agents in the offseason, and if they void Arenas' contract, two of them...

 

[DasTex]

I'll predict right now that the Wizards will land one of the premier free agents in the offseason, and if they void Arenas' contract, two of them...

I just don't see how it's going to happen. What is the incentive for a top FA to go there? There isn't enough talent on that team to allow them to compete for a title anytime soon. Money isn't going to be an issue, because of max deals and the Wizards aren't going to be the only team able to make a max deal.

 

[ajk23az]

I'll predict right now that the Wizards will land one of the premier free agents in the offseason, and if they void Arenas' contract, two of them...

Highly highly highly doubt it.

All of the FA next year want to leave their teams BECAUSE they aren't on a winning team. Theres no way they go to Washington when Caron Butler just got traded, and Arenas' future is very cloudy and they have nobody else worth a hoot on the team.

I can guarantee you that if I bookmark this thread, I'll be bringing it back later to show you..

 

[Vintage]

I'll predict right now that the Wizards will land one of the premier free agents in the offseason, and if they void Arenas' contract, two of them...

Define premier free agent for me.

Because the big 3 ain't going to Washington.

 

[Vintage]

Dirks a top 5 NBA player and should already have an NBA title without ref screwage.

So you give Dirk this many weapons on a team than yes the Mavs do have a shot at an NBA title. Especially if Kobe can't get healthy.

I heard the Lakers may try and get Hienrich or Devin Harris. If they get Harris they will be almost impossible to defend.

Hinrich isn't going anywhere. Especially, now with Salmons being moved for cap space.

 

[silverbear]

Define premier free agent for me.

Because the big 3 ain't going to Washington.

There's a hell of a lot more than a "big 3"...

You've got LeBron, Wade, Stoudemire, Dirk, Chris Bosh... right behind them, you've got Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, TJ Ford, Richard Jefferson... with the exception of Nowitzki, those are all fairly young players... and though I don't see the Wizards looking at the older veterans, some teams are gonna spend their cap room on Paul Pierce, Michael Redd, Steve Nash, Marcus Camby, Manu Ginobili...

That's the point you're all missing-- there are a LOT of really good free agents who will be on the market this coming offseason...

And as far as why any of them might consider Washington, the list of reasons looks like this:

1) Money
2) Flip Saunders is a well-liked coach around the league
3) That free agent will be "the man" in DC
4) Ted Leonsis will be the new owner, a guy who quickly turned around a woeful Washington Capitals hockey team, so there's reason to believe he'll do what it takes to turn around the Wiz...

So I repeat, I fully expect the Wizards to land a player who I'd consider a "premier" free agent in most normal seasons, if only because there are so many of them on the market... I would consider any of the first nine I listed to fall into that category, in most normal seasons... not all of them are gonna run out and sign with the Cavs and Lakers, LOL...

 

[ajk23az]

If you think TJ Ford and Richard Jefferson are PREMIER FA's, you are absoultely nuts.

Ford has ran his course with 3 different teams, Jefferson is garbage, TMAC is on the Kings, Dirk will be resigned no doubt about it, and I doubt Joe Johnson will leave the Hawks with such an up and coming team that they have in tact.

But I suppose, if your a Wizards fan, you need some kind of hope..