SB Nation Kansas City - Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: James Harden And Serge Ibaka Too Much For Thunderhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-03-09T18:37:41-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26217142012-03-09T18:37:41-06:002012-03-09T18:37:41-06:00Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Price Tag Is High For All-Star Center
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<p>SI.com NBA writer Chris Mannix reports that the rumored deal for <span>Dwight Howard</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> for both <span>James Harden</span> and <span>Serge Ibaka</span> could provide teams a benchmark for what the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> want in return for their superstar center. </p>
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<p>By leaking Harden and Ibaka, Orlando is letting teams know what kind of package they are looking for. That is the benchmark.</p>
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixSI/status/178273388211609600" data-datetime="2012-03-10T00:17:42+00:00">March 10, 2012</a>
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<p>That price appears to be too high even for the Thunder who are not on the list of teams that Howard would reportedly consider resigning with at the end of the season. So trading two of their core players for a rest of the season rental doesn't seem too appealing even if combining Howard with <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span> would instantly make Oklahoma City the favorites to win the championship. </p>
<p><i>For more trade rumors involving the Oklahoma City Thunder head on over to <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com">Welcome To Loud City</a>. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/9/2858622/dwight-howard-trade-rumors-james-harden-serge-ibakaKris Willis2012-03-09T12:45:32-06:002012-03-09T12:45:32-06:00Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Adding Howard Still A Risky Move For The Thunder
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<p>A report on Friday revealed that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> have indeed discussed a deal to send <span>Dwight Howard</span> to the Thunder. At issue for the Thunder is the asking price. Orlando wants <span>James Harden</span> and <span>Serge Ibaka</span> in the deal. The Thunder would only be getting Howard through the end of the season, a rental of sorts. And therein lies the conundrum for the Thunder, as <a href="http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/03/report-magic-and-thunder-have-discussed-dwight-howard-deal/" target="_blank">this report from Royce Young at the Daily Thunder believes</a> adding Howard would make them favorites for an NBA title this year. </p>
<p>Trading away players for Howard stands in contrast to the team's m.o. of building long-term viability by drafting and developing young players. Having Howard walk away after the 2012 season would leave a huge hole in what is now a very good lineup. </p>
<p>However, with Howard on board for the rest of the season, the Thunder could fill that void with a championship banner, maybe. </p>
<p>Says Young:</p>
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<p>Flags fly forever. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> are going to enjoy their title for the rest of time. And if acquiring Howard meant the Thunder would win a championship, that's what you do. You play to win that trophy and you win them one at a time.</p>
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<p>He then points out the risk of not winning it all with Howard this year, a distinct possibility. Ultimately that leads Young to argue that the Thunder should try to win with what they have. </p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/9/2857678/dwight-howard-trade-rumors-oklahoma-city-thunderRyan Van Bibber2012-03-09T08:02:53-06:002012-03-09T08:02:53-06:00Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: James Harden And Serge Ibaka Too Much For Thunder
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<img alt="March 6, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) dunks during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6sawu_fJearriiYUY5aonl6pbnM=/0x195:465x505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5846946/20120306_ajw_as1_513.jpg" />
<figcaption>March 6, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) dunks during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>It's too high of a price to pay for such a short window of opportunity when the Thunder might just win the crown this year without giving anything up at all. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> are the latest team to be included in the <span>Dwight Howard</span> trade talks, but as with every team to this point, the price to rent, even for such a superstar, is much too high. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/MagicInsider/status/178107678185365506">The Magic Insider is reporting </a>that the teams have talked to discuss Howard, but there doesn't seem to be much traction in the rumors given that the asking price was <span>Serge Ibaka</span> and <span>James Harden</span>.</p>
<p>Ibaka is a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Only 22-years-old, Ibaka is blossoming in his third season in the NBA and is averaging 3.2 blocks per game. That's almost one full block above his league-leading 2.4 average last season. He's also averaging 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as well.</p>
<p>As for Harden, he's a good bet for Sixth Man of the Year award and is finally turning into the player the Thunder hoped he would when they made him the third overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. He's also only 22 and is averaging a career high 16.8 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He's also shooting at a career high rate on his field goal and free throw percentages as well.</p>
<p>Howard is a franchise defining talent and would certainly make the Thunder the runaway favorite for the NBA title. But once that was over, Howard is likely headed to a team like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> as a free agent and the Thunder would be left with <span>Kevin Durant</span>, <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and nothing else for the next few years. It's too high of a price to pay for such a short window of opportunity when the Thunder might just win the crown this year without giving anything up at all.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/3/9/2856891/dwight-howard-trade-rumors-james-harden-and-serge-ibaka-too-much-forMatt Conner