If the Magic trade Howard, they should probably look to get a few role players as well. Gibson and Asik are so underrated, I'd probably try to get them as they're both young.

Still, I can't see Chicago going for him, the temptation is there but they aren't too far off being a side capable of winning it all. If they had Rip Hamilton last year against Miami, they probably would have won IMO.

I can only see the Lakers trading for Howard. Anyone else that could entice him to a contract doesn't have the pieces (Nets) or is already a title contender and doesn't have to risk it (Bulls).

Lakers however could make a big run at it with Howard + Kobe, especially if they can get Nelson thrown in someway as well.

IMO, teams will see what the Knicks did and think "we'll wait for Dwight, he clearly wants to move, so we'll just play the waiting game". The Knicks are looking OK now, but there's no doubting they gave up a lot to bring in Carmelo, especially when he was apparently willing to sign at the season's end.

Before Dwight goes to New Jersey/Brooklyn, apparently a favoured destination, he should really look at what will be available when he gets there. Championship teams aren't built overnight, it takes time to form them, will he really get to where he wants to be by joining a NJ side with Deron Williams and very little else? It's rumoured that he'd like a move to the Mavericks, which could work for him in ways, but they're an aging side, within a couple of years, he could be the only true superstar at the team in a similar position to what he's been in at Orlando.

This year's free agency is decent, not amazing but there could be a fair amount of decent players available if they don't sign with the current teams. I'd love to know what the Magic plan on doing, if he goes, do they just get rid of all of the salaries and start from the draft? Wouldn't surprise me if they get lucky and get the next great big again.

The Mavs are ageing, but they've cleared enough cap space to make a run for both Deron Williams + DH, throw in Dirk there and you've got a crazy rival to Miami. I'd forgotten abouts the Mavs to be honest, but theyre similar to the Nets in that they probably don't have enough pieces to get a trade done now, he'd need to be a free agent.

I do think the Nets could be contenders pretty quickly if he went there though, Williams would have to re-sign as well, but if they re-signed Humphries (although it gets overshadowed cos of his off the court business, he's actually a good player), and used Lopez as bait to get some role players, throw Marshon Brooks in there as an improving youngster, and the new arena, they could get some momentum going.

It will be the Lakers imo. They have the best pieces and get a replacement in Bynum. I agree about a team waiting as whoever get;s D12 will have to take on Hedo with that daft contract.


The Knicks got torn a new one in Miami, Lin got found out a bit. Melo looking a bit better, still got great depth, just need time to mesh.

I watched most of the Knicks game (up 'til the 4th quarter but then I fell asleep). Lin struggled, largely because Miami made it their aim to shut him down, a lot of PG's in the league would struggle with that kind of intensity on defence, let alone a PG who's only just got into the routine of starting in a jam-packed season.

I think Lin's shown enough to show he'll be a good player, but last night he probably should have been taken out earlier on once it was established he couldn't cope with the pace of the game.

Watched up to half time ish last night, Mario Chalmers was just playing top defence on Lin, and he got rattled early. JR is looking decent though, and Fields is stepping back up to what he was pre-All star break last year.

Great Britain to play the USA at the MEN Arena on July 19th.

A bit harsh for LBJ to be getting grief for not taking the last minute shot in ASG.

He'll get it everytime until he wins a championship though. He's as unselfish a superstar as there is (imo), but he made the rod for his own back when he took his talents to South Beach. He's going to have a target on his back until he gets that ring.