Dwight Howard returned home to Atlanta last offseason on a three-year deal worth $70MM and the partnership got off to a solid start. Howard was able to play 74 regular season games, in which he averaged a double-double per night. He looked somewhat rejuvenated on the defensive end, appearing to be over the back issues that plagued him over the past few seasons.
As the season progressed, his role was marginalized and he recently lashed about against the Hawks. “I want to play. I want to be out on the floor. I want to make a difference. I want to make an impact, and I can’t do that on the bench,” Howard told the media last week.
Howard doesn’t exactly fit into coach Mike Budenholzer‘s pace-and-space system and perhaps the team would be better off trading the former Defensive Player of the Year. However, that may not be a fruitful task.
ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz (Twitter link) asked eight front office executives about what the Hawks could get in a theoretical Howard deal. The consensus was that a second-round pick and cap relief would be the best case scenario.
The big man has approximately $47.3MM left on his deal over the next two seasons, which is part of the reason why Atlanta could be looking at such paltry returns in a trade. The salary cap is expected to come in around $101MM for next season, so a team must be willing to allocate over 20% of its cap resources to Howard. That may not be ideal, though every year, we see a number of teams strike out on potential free agents.
The market for Howard’s services could increase after the initial wave of free agents sign, though that’s merely my speculation. The problem with the Hawks waiting until after the first wave of signings is that getting cap relief in return for Howard does no good if there’s no one to sign.
Howard can still contribute to the right system, though Budholzer’s may not be the ideal match. That begs the question: which team is the right fit for him?
Should the Hawks should deal the former No. 1 overall pick and if so, what could they realistically look to get in return? Also, if you were the GM of a rival team, what would you give up for Howard? Surely, at the right price, he’s worth a gamble. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
why wouldn’t it be low. He’s overpayed and isn’t that good anymore. They’d be lucky to get someone to take him
I think he is still really good but on the right system and team. The Spurs should trade for him, maybe Dedmon and Danny Green for Howard. Pop could mentally fix Howard and get him back to playing 1st team all defense.
Dwights comments are being blown way out of proportion. Dwight was not the problem with the Hawks this year. He gave us the presence in the middle we wanted and rebounding that Horford refused to do. If he said he agreed with being benched in the 4th people would’ve attacked him for having no passion. We don’t need to give Dwight away, what need is a shooter and a playmaker off the bench. Bazemore’s signing is the bigger problem. I’d trade him for cap relief and a 2.
If we could find someone with the rebounding skills of Howard and shooting skills of Horford, we’d be set
How does a tea dedicate money to a player
How about Melo for Howard (if Millsap leaves)? Obviously there are other parts that would need to be included but both teams swap over the hill superstars. Maybe Howard could be a Rodman type in the triangle?
Lmao Howard lacks Rodman’s mental toughness plus the Hawks already have Bazemore and the up and coming Taurean Prince no need for Melo. Howard at this point needs solid coaching and discipline and Popovich can provide that.
Melo would play PF for the Hawks (his better position at this point). But I agree on Howard. I don’t think he’d be a good fit in NY anyway. I was just throwing a crap trade proposal around like everyone else does…mostly because it’s a trade of disgruntled, over the hill former stars.
Nah Melo can’t play PF
If Paul George could play the 4, Melo can. Crowder plays the 4 in Boston just fine.
Lol what? Melo is arguably better at the 4.
Agreed. Rodman worked hard, had balls, was gritty, and tough. Howard is softer than a marshmallow.
All the melo for this dude or that dude trades r very over blown. Melo will play in NY or with Paul, or LeBron. End of story. And the cavs don’t have room. So…..
Doubt he goes to the West, he’s better off in Boston. Stays close to NY, fills in as the second option behind Isaiah.
Yeah I like Melo in Boston as a stop gap star. Granted, Hayward would be better, but I’d rather Melo short term than Griffin long term. Melo has what, 1 year plus a player option left? Boston gets Melo for relatively cheap compared to other star trade acquisition prices, boosts the team now, and doesn’t sacrifice the future. Add a big for the minimum and maybe a defensive minded wing rotation player and that’s a team you could get to the finals. Or at least win a couple games against Cleveland and just wait their last few years out and build with Jaylen and the pick this year.
Why in the world would Paul or Lebron go to the Knicks when they could go to a competent team instead? And why would Lebron even want to leave the Cavs?
Lebron might mess around stay 2 more years with Cleveland and opt to sign with NY
Only delusional fans still think he’ll eventually sign in NY, especially as long as Phil Jackson is still in charge. I could maybe see LeBron leaving Cleveland when Kyrie/Love’s deals end and if they decided to leave. Let’s say that even happens, I only see him leaving to chase one final ring before heading back to Cleveland for a final season, and I doubt the Knicks will be an attractive destination/serious championship contender at that point.
Why would anyone want this guy? Has made problems with every team he’s been on, is an injury risk, and can’t shoot 3s or FT’s which doesn’t fit in the modern day NBA. Don’t see why he’s even worth taking a chance on ESPECIALLY at that type of salary. He’s probably best off the bench or in a reduced role like he had last season and he’s complaining (what else is new) about it.
center’s, even in today’s nba, should not be expected to shoot 3’s.
Agreed. It’s a nice luxury to have a center who can shoot 3s, but rim protection/defense and rebounding are more important from the center position.
How bout bad player for bad player send Howard and a 2nd round pick to NY Knicks for Carmelo Anthony and a 2nd round pick and both teams cut each player or keep em and use the money to sign Milsap but I don’t see Carmelo agreeing with the trade
Howard is literally always disgruntled, Orlando…LA….Houston…now Atlanta, time to grow up big fella.
Agree. The guy is a clubhouse cancer and is beyond overrated. He’s had a problem at every single destination. The only common denominator is him.
The question was what would I give for Howard? Nothing. Just what he is worth. Didn’t Hawks mgmt talk to bud before giving him the big $…stupid. He is a cancer, malcontent and liability late in games. Not a winner. Suffer Atlanta!
Dwight Howard is so 2009.