Just because the annual All-Star weekend GM meeting was cancelled this year, doesn’t mean there won’t be a flurry of moves before the 3pm EST deadline. Here are three moves that do not include Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin or Kevin Love, that I’d like to see happen today.
1) Dwight Howard to the Raptors
Safe bet you’re thinking one of two things after reading that headline; a) “are you crazy Dunlop? That locker-room cancer would ruin the Raps’ chances of winning in the playoffs. Stick to soccer!” Or, b) “you stupid homer. This is the type of media BS that sets Toronto fans up for disappointment.” But, hear me out.
Dwight Howard is not worth the max money he’ll ask for this summer. The Rockets will expect Jonas Valanciunas in return at the least, and that’s a move Masai has already refused to make. Howard has a $23.3 million player option for next season and, is very unlikely to give Toronto a team-friendly discount and the cap space to “keep the band together.” Yes, Howard’s best days are behind him. And there’s a risk he won’t be any happier north of the border than he is right now in Houston. But, could you really see Dwight Howard losing in the first round after taking a far less talented Rockets team to the Western Conference final last spring?
If his play this month is any indication, his declining athleticism hasn’t made him a complete liability. Averaging 16.5 PPG, 14.5 rebounds with a .651 FG% in four games before the All-Star break, Howard is improving his career-low season totals. If only he could stop getting ejected.
I know it’s an expensive risk. I would imagine the Raptors would have to part with a combination of Bismack Biyombo, Patrick Patterson, maybe Anthony Bennett and one pick? I don’t know what the best package is to keep the locker room balance that has been crucial to the Raptors success these last three years. But if it is about winning right now, Howard has the talent to make a very good team a title contender.
2) Derrick Rose to the Kings for Rudy Gay
Forget Pau to Sac-town. Mid-season blockbusters are rare, and neither team really HAS to do it. But, there’s plenty of upside for both sides.
Let’s start with the easier explanation. DeMarcus Cousins is having a much better year than people expected, and just because Rajon Rondo has seemingly little interest in helping George Karl keep his job, he hasn’t been half bad in Sacramento. Imagine how much better he could be with Derrick Rose next to him? Would be a good way to convince Rondo to stick around this summer. Rose has one year left on his deal, which would leave the Kings around $20 million in cap space to strengthen elsewhere. Vlade Divac was very aggressive in his first off-season in charge. With the Kings moving in to a new building next season, why bet he’s going to slow down?
The Bulls can quickly slip out of a playoff spot with another poor run of games, or more likely another key injury. Rudy Gay would help keep the Horents, Pistons and Wizards in their rearview mirror. Despite the fortune Gay earns, that nobody thinks he deserves, this move would surprisingly save Chicago a ton in luxury tax. It could leave them with $13 million in cap space. Money they would most certainly use to bring back Pau Gasol – who is seems unwilling to be traded today to become a two month rental player.
Michael Reinsdorf and Gar Forman have plenty of options to choose from over the next six months. Shipping away the former face of the franchise wouldn’t be the easiest one, but might be one worth making before it’s too late.
3) Ricky Rubio to the New York Knicks
This is largely to do with the fact that the Minnesota Timberwolves seem rather interested in pairing young stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins with a better shooting guard, and the Knicks could really use one right now. Plus, I’m a Knicks fan. Not sure what the T-Wolves would expect in return, but it’s more likely these two wait til the summer to sort out those needs.
Dunlop's Daily Dose 