Brian K. Schmit, a Magic insider recently tweeted that the Oklahoma City Thunder have recently turned down a trade that would send Dwight to OKC and James Harden and Ibaka to the Magic. There may have been other players or cash involved in the trade to bring the Thunder below the salary cap, but if a trade involving mainly these players was purposed and declined by the Thunder as Schmit suggested, than the Thunder may be regretting this decision for a long time. There are lots of positives and negatives for the Thunder about this trade, here they are.Positives: Dwight Howard is much better than any other center in the NBA. His incredible size and shot blocking ability makes it very difficult to drive the lane, and Howard's defensive ability is shown by his 3 defensive player of the year awards in the last 3 years. Dwight also has incredible scoring and rebounding abilities. That has been shown by his seven 20 rebound 20 point games this year, and his incredible 23 rebound 45 point game against the Warriors. Dwight would give the Thunder what no other contender has, a consistent offensive presence inside. Dwight would give them the very important edge inside over most teams, especially the Heat and Bulls.
Negatives: Right now the Thunder have a great core of players with Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Ibaka. They have some nice depth as well with Thabo Sefaolosha, Nick Collison, and Eric Maynor. This team has been one of the best this year, and has the looks of a being contenders for the next decade. This trade would send two of their talented young pieces to the Thunder for a Dwight Howard. This would give the Thunder three superstars who demand the ball and who demand to get their fair share of shots. That isn't always always a bad thing, but adding Howard to the mix could mess up the chemistry in Oklahoma City.
Analysis: Adding Howard would turn the Thunder from contenders for many years to come into favorites for many years to come. Harden is likely to leave Oklahoma City when his contract expires (because he's too good to be a career 6th man), and Ibaka's shot blocking wouldn't be missed because of Dwights inside presence. This trade could result in the Thunder to struggle with chemistry in the short term, but in the long run this Thunder team would figure out how to play together and would become a multiple championship winning team.
Overall: The Thunder definitely should have accepted this trade, and will likely be regretting declining this trade in the future.
I don't think this is true because there is no way this could work out a deal within the salary cap
ReplyDeleteDid you know that Harden would be a starter if it wasnt for the fact he WANTS to be the 6th man of the year? I also agree that there salary could not handle having Westbrook, Durant, and Howard along with the young strong talent.
ReplyDeleteSalary is not close. Nice try with making shit up though
ReplyDeleteThere may have been additional players added to the trade to make the salary cap work, but this was legitimately tweeted by a magic insider, so I didn't make it up and it didn't come from me.
ReplyDeleteHarden comes off the bench because then he gets to star while Durant and Westbrook are sitting down. He's perfect as a 6th man and he loves the role. Show any proof that he is trying to get out, please.
ReplyDeleteExcept that there's little chance that Howard would actually sign to play in OKC, a small market that already has a stud (Durant) as it's de facto star. Howard says he's about winning, but really he's all about being The Guy in terms of marketing and recognition.
ReplyDeleteWhy would the Magic ever do this trade?
ReplyDeleteAgain...LMAO at so many things. I have to stop reading this blog now....my sides are aching too much.
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