After nearly a year of drama surrounding Dwight Howard and his uncertain future, sources with direct knowledge of the trade talks confirm...
While the sources cautioned that multi-team trades are complex and that involved executives could always change their minds, a trade call is expected to take place in the afternoon and the deal is structured as follows: the Lakers would get Howard, Orlando point guard Chris Duhon (two years, $6.5 million remaining) and Magic forward Earl Clark; Orlando would get Denver guard Arron Afflalo, Denver forward Al Harrington, Philadelphia small forward Moe Harkless, Philadelphia center Nikola Vucevic, Lakers forward Josh McRoberts, three future first-round picks (one lottery-protected from the Sixers, the lower of Denver's two first-rounders in 2014 and the Lakers' 2017 first-rounder) and two second-round picks; Philadelphia would get Lakers center Andrew Bynum and Orlando guard Jason Richardson; and Denver would get Sixers forward Andre Iguodala. One source said Philadelphia was very reluctant to give up Harkless, the 15th pick in the June draft, and that Sixers officials continued looking for ways to avoid having to do so late Thursday.
While Lakers forward Pau Gasol was reported to be in the deal earlier Thursday, sources with knowledge of the talks said he is not part of the transaction. As such, it's an incredible move for a Lakers team that had already re-inserted itself into the championship discussion by acquiring two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star point guard Steve Nash in mid-July. With a starting five of Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Gasol and Howard, the Lakers would appear to be every bit as potent as the defending-champion Heat.
With the Magic looking to clear salary-cap space and rebuild through the draft, they will have unloaded Richardson's deal (three years, $18.6 million remaining) while acquiring young players in Harkless, Afflalo and Vucevic whom they see as part of the new core. Harkless and Vucevic are on their rookie deals, while Afflalo is owed $30.4 million over the next four years.
The picks are the Magic's most prized asset, though, as new general manager Rob Hennigan is looking to follow the path of his mentor, Oklahoma City's Sam Presti, and build intelligently and efficiently through the draft. Hennigan, who at 30 years old is the youngest general manager in the league after coming up through the San Antonio system as an intern with the Spurs, won the job in late June based largely on that platform.
Harrington (three years, $21.4 million remaining) isn't nearly as expensive as he would appear for the Magic, who prioritized financial flexibility in all of their Howard talks. Only 50 percent of the final two years of his deal are guaranteed, meaning the Magic are only on the hook for $7.3 million after next season if they waive him.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, saw a chance to add Iguodala's star power while shedding $51.8 million in future salary (including Afflalo's player option in the 2015-16 season). The 28-year-old is an elite defender and 2012 All-Star who has averaged 15.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in eight seasons. As for the Sixers, they shed Iguodala's $30.6 million for the next two seasons (including a player option in 2013-14) while getting a chance to secure a long-term relationship with one of the premier big men in the game in Bynum.
While Bynum has shown a strong interest in testing free agency next summer, the fact that Philadelphia would have his Bird Rights is a huge factor. The Sixers would be allowed to offer him a five-year deal with 7.5 percent annual raises as opposed to a maximum of four years and 4.5 percent annual raises for any other team.
The same goes for Howard, who had said he would only sign long-term with Brooklyn but will be hard-pressed to leave Los Angeles if this deal does indeed go down. The Lakers also will own Howard's Bird Rights, meaning he'll have financial incentive to stay along with this nearing reality: The Lakers just got a whole lot better -- again.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/08/10/howard-lakers-deal-pending/index.html#ixzz23AIna8dT
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