Damn. I've been away wayyyy too long. I promise I will never do that again. I recently graduated college and landed my first big boy job in Chicago, IL. It's been super busy since December. But, alas, I'm back....and there's a lot of catching up to do!
Something I want to get off my chest is a trade scenario that I've been drawing up for the last few days. It involves these three, beautiful faces:
Al Horford Dwight Howard Brandon Jennings
But, before I get into it, let's look at some backstory to the deal.
Okay. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know full well that the Los Angeles Lakers are playing horribly. They made the coaching change last month, bringing in D'Antoni (instead of Phil Jackson) with hopes that the energetic coach good bring life to their dying offense. D'Antoni was responsible for the offensive juggernaut that was the Phoenix Sun a few years back with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire; he also had a good thing going in New York, prior to the Carmelo Anthony Trade.
D'Antoni has to get the Lakers back on track.
Well, long story short, it hasn't been working. The Lakers are losing left and right. The combination of Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Kobe Bryant (and Pau Gasol) is not gelling. Sure, Kobe is putting up almost 30pts. a game (Durant may catch him for points leader) but that may be the only positive. If Nash isn't hurt, he's a defensive liability on the court and if Howard isn't hurt, he's not finishing at the hoop, constantly taking lay-ups, instead of dunks. (to which he then gets fouled and misses his free throws.)
Just a short sidebar...what the hell has happened to Dwight Howard?!? There is no way one of the top 5 best players in the league can fall off so far. Mentally, something is off. His game has been in shambles since coming to La La Land. Howard is putting up about 17pts/12reb/3blks a game, but those numbers are drastically misleading. He is missing screens, missing free throws, and drastically failing in the paint; his FG% is so low. For some reason, he has lost all agression and presence under the hoop.
Any hoo, the Lakers have been just god awful (outside of excellent play from Metta World Peace, Earl Clark, and Kobe Bryant) The big question is how do you solve the problem? Well, for the last month or so, people have been SCREAMING to trade Pau Gasol. Poor Pau Gasol's has been the scapegoat for this disastrous Lakers season thus far; If I had a nickel for everytime I heard that trading Gasol would turn this team around, I would have enough money to buy Steve Nash a Life Alert....and a wheelchair encrusted with diamonds.
Property of Steve Nash
But, Gasol isn't the answer. Hell, what of Gasol has been seen to even suggest trading him would help the team? He barely gets minutes; he comes off the bench and has rarely a play called for him. The only time he sees the ball is if he rebounds it. I'm confident is the 32yr. PF/C was given the opportunity, he would put All-Star numbers on the board.
But, alas, they refuse to give them to him. So, the logical answer is to move him, right? Why not move him to get younger assets? Well, because he currently makes $19mill/year and has 2 years left on his deal. That contract is Joe Johnson big. Who the hell will absorb that cap hit for the next few seasons?
No one that I can think of.
But, you know who is tradable? Dwight Howard. (He's probably the only player they can trade)
I know, I know. Didn't they make the blockbuster of a deal to bring in Howard? Didn't they break up their championship-caliber roster and ship out Bynum in order to bring this franchise cornerstone to LA? Isn't Howard supposed to be the new King of LA once Kobe retires? Well, that was the plan. But, Howard is shrinking in the Los Angeles spotlight faster than Neil Patrick Harris's Penis at a Victoria's Secret fashion show.
I love you NPH
It's just not working. Dwight's personality isn't made for LA. It's obvious he cannot take the heat. He is a great player. A PHENOMENAL player. Better yet, he's a great person. It's not fair to the him and the Lakers to drag this out any more. Jim Buss and the Lakers organization need to admit that they epically fucked up (Phil Jackson is laughing his ass off right now). Once they do that, they can start fixing the franchise.
First thing they should do is move Howard. I propose they move the big man to Atlanta.
Atlanta? Why? Why did you put a picture of Brandon Jennings at the top of this post? Does your dumbass think Jennings is on the ATL roster?
Nope. I think in order to get Howard to Atlanta, a third team is necessary; a team that has assets that LA covets. I'm referring to the Milwaukee Bucks. The thing LA obviously lacks is youth and speed at the permitter. Nash can't keep up and Kobe is doing everything he can-- but it's not enough. I think if they move Nash to 6th man and bring in Brandon Jennings, the team would come alive! Jennings, a LA boy, will fit right into the spotlight he's been born to play in. Sadly, the flamboyant PG has been in the boring Wisconsin of all places. A move to LA would be electric for his career.
Jennings would love the LA Spotlight
A trade of Howard for Jennings wouldn't work however, because there is no chance in hell Howard would sign an extension with MIL....but he would resign if he was traded to his hometown team, ATL (with best bud, Josh Smith still there)
Here's how the trade shakes down:
Los Angeles Lakers Get:
Brandon Jennings (sign and trade, $11mil or so/yr)
Ersan Ilyasova ($8mil)
Milwaukee Bucks Get:
Al Horford ($12mil)
Devin Harris ($8.5mil) Expiring Contract
Kyle Korver ($5mil) Expiring Contract
1st Rd. Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Get:
Dwight Howard ($19mil)
Drew Gooden ($6mil)
I think the move would be a slam dunk for all 3 teams:
The Lakers get an electric, young PG to lead their team for the next 6+ years. They get a young PF that can shoot from all over the court. This trade allows Gasol to move into his natural position at C and get the touches he needs. Moving Nash to 6th man immediately makes the 2nd unit stronger.
Howard and Smith could excel together in Atlanta
The Bucks get a legitimate big man they need. The 2 Guard play of Ellis and Jennings is exciting, but hurts the team inside. Horford, while not a defensive stalworth, is a credible threat to opposing teams; he's a scorers, too. Devin Harris replaces Jennings at point, which in theory only means he'll feed the ball to Ellis, who will more than likely run the the team. In addition, the Bucks gain financial flexibility by bringing in Harris who's contract is expiring. Kyle Korver's contract is also expiring (the Bucks lack good 3pt SG, other than Ellis, so he's a good fit regardless) Throwing in 1-2 1st Rd picks only sweetens the deal. Gooden (who is very far down the Bucks bench) saves the team even more money.
The Atlanta Hawks get Superman himself, Dwight Howard. He can be their new franchise player. His presence will more than likely trigger Josh Smith to resign. Smith and Howard, plus Teague at PG is a solid foundation for the franchise. Howard should thrive in his return to the Eastern Conference, especially to a franchise much smaller than LA and more similar to Orlando. I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta made a move to secure a 3rd star player to create their own super team. By trading Joe Johnson last summer, they definitely have some flexibility.
Whew. I'm outta breath. Good to be back!!!
Josh
