Dwight Howard (Photo : Facebook/DwightHoward)
The latest trade rumors floated by author/sportscaster Bill Simmons proposed another destination for Dwight Howard.
Blazers = $20m under cap. Could offer Miles Plumlee/Tim Frazier for Dwight - saves Hou $20m + huge trade exception. Fun gamble for Rip City.
AdvertisementLike Us on Facebook— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 12, 2016
PS: My bad, I meant Dwight for MASON Plumlee and Tim Frazier.
(I promise you - this won't be the last time I mix up the Plumlees.)— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 12, 2016
The Portland Trail Blazers is a team that has been pushed to rebuild mode when all their starters and two key bench players either traded or bolted the team through free agency.
The major fish that left is franchise player LaMarcus Aldridge who seems to have surrendered the chances of the team to move up to the next level. He has been their best player for years and last year's playoffs, when they reached the second round may have been the ceiling for their core group.
Other players like Wes Matthews, Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo left the team in free agency, but the Blazers have been unexpectedly resilient, even holding a playoff position for extended lengths in the season. They are currently holding on to 7th place with a .500 record (27-27) at the All-Star Break.
Their fighting stance may sell to free agents and they do have Damian Lillard, the perennial All-Star snub as their franchise player. But will that be enough to make guys like Kevin Durant even consider the Northwest as a destination?
What if you add a three-time Defensive Player of the Year center? This is what Bill Simmons suggested.
If the Houston Rockets really wanted to trade D12, the truth is they would probably not get the value that they're looking for. Since Howard will enter free agency, and that seems to be confirmed in this report by Yahoo Sports wherein Adrian Wojnarowski stated his claim.
"Howard, 30, plans to exercise an opt-out in his contract this summer to become an unrestricted free agent, and uncertainty surrounding the commitment both sides are willing to make has pushed Houston general manager Daryl Morey toward seeking potential trades on the market, league sources said," the article stated.
As of now, the Rockets are still looking for the best assets for Howard but if they do not like their chances to go deep into the playoffs at the trade deadline, they have to face the prospect of losing Howard to free agency with nothing in return, and the idea of getting Plumlee back along with the luxury tax relief for a losing season may be an acceptable consolation prize.
Team site Blazer's Edge discussed the prospect of Howard joining the backcourt combo. It would also be good for trade purposes and hasten the team's rebuild cycle.
"If the Blazers could get Dwight for spare parts big men--if Houston were convinced that he wouldn't re-sign or didn't want him--a package of Howard and McCollum might draw players than McCollum alone couldn't," TBE said. "Since we're talking big men...obtaining a high-profile center would be more valuable to Portland right now than players at any other position."
Morey is usually the GM who receives the franchise players, but he might need to be a seller this time.
