The Mavs Didn't Want This Dwight; They Want That Dwight
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DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) - The Dallas Mavericks never seriously investigated a trade-deadline deal for Dwight Howard.
Why not? Because the Mavs aren't interested in this Dwight now, on somebody else's terms. They are interested in Dwight then … on their own terms.
With all due respect to conflicting reports and claims from agent Dan Fegan that somewhere between 29 and a million teams called Houston begging for the services of his client, two sources as close as can be to the situation tell me the Mavs were never in on dealing with Houston GM Daryl Morey for a Dwight trade.
The fact that he wouldn't opt in to his existing contract, thus saving his new employer money (and July 1 negotiations) is one. Howard has already established a willingness to flee whenever the opportunity presents itself — and is well within his right to do so. But giving up assets for him now means a rental of a potentially non-devoted superstar, age 30, with a history of back problems.
No sale in Dallas.
Too bad Houston couldn't trade to Dallas the Dwight the Mavs really want: a fully-invested player who doesn't get his $30-mil-to-start max deal and who therefore accepts much less (like Dallas' likely opening of $26.5 mil) who commits to his new home for four seasons.
That Dwight? As part of a front line also featuring Dirk Nowitzki (who would give him the spotlight) and Chandler Parsons (who would give him the ball), he appeals to the Mavs … as they'd be giving up reasonable money and no assets do acquire him.
This Dwight? The Mavs were not armed with assets to do such a deal. But they were armed with the knowledge that caused them to not bother pressing a non-issue.
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