re: Very good article about selling CP3 to comeback to New Orleans

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Lots of smoke that Griffin/Jordan (bffs) dont like playing with Paul and vice versa

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I'm not doubting you or saying this isn't true but I just can't believe that this is true. Like screw that I hate playing with the best PG that makes me better. So weird

Frankly, I'd be shocked if ATL pulled off anything of note. Their ownership is horrible.

Also, they have Horford under contract along with Lou Williams and Jenkins. While it looks like they have a ton of room, they have cap holds from Teague and Smith to deal with. They can flip Teague and let Smith walk or flip him for a small assets, but they they are doing to get Paul and Dwight (the `idea' some have'), they will not be able to offer both the max as FA.

Without Dwight, do ATL look as appealing for Chris? Letting Teague go, keeping Smith and having Horford and Smith isn't bad, I suppose.

We'll have to look more closely at the numbers, but their situation is not as good as it appears at first glance.

They will hang the owner by the testickles if they amnesty Kobe. Especially how he's already fricked up the coaching situation.

I ran the Hawks numbers, and they have to either lose Horford or both Williams and Jenkins to sign both Dwight and Chris. They'll have to take nearly no salary back in the former case, but can handle some back in the Horford case.

This is a consequence of their 3 guaranteed players (listed above), their 2 first rounders, and the roster charge.

Plus, this requires them to lose their rights to ALL free agents, meaning they'll have to flesh out the roster with remaining cap space, min salaries, their first round picks, the room exception, and trades.

Given the amount of effort and obstacles, this is a tall order for the Hawks.

More details later.

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I think deep down he saw something there too.

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Hawks would just S&T Horford, Williams and Jenkins for Dwight and then rebuild Miami Big 3 style with Paul and Josh Smith. I do agree that ATL needs Dwight to pull it off, but if he leaves the Lakers I think odds are high for a Big 3 in the ATL.

So they lose their guarantees and get Dwight, then sign Chris?

To do that, Dwight would have to be willing to sign there as a FA. Then LA would agree to get something for him. Would he? No. So I'm not sure thst works. They can't ship those guys to the Clippers since they are stocked up on expensive big men (I think they would not do that for Chris... gotta look). Maybe if they can move Jordan, but that may upset Blake. Etc.

I don"t see it even if a path can be drawn.

They guys leaving money on the table (as in Miami) changes things.

It also requires the Lakers to agree.

They know that.

So what is their incentive to comply?

ETA: Said another way . . . for Smith and Dwight and Chris to team up, the trade you described for Howard , or something like it, must happen, and the Lakers know that. They would agree to the trade if Howard would leave regardless since they'd get a good haul instead of nothing. But why would they agree to it if he wouldn't go there without their help? And who's to say they'd be the best suitor? Houston can put together a good package for Dwight, for instance. It's tangled, and not so clear cut. I'll admit, I have no faith in Atlanta's ownership, etc. either.

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Well thank god you ran the numbers. Danny Ferry has been wondering about this.

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I'm not telling the Hawks, sir. I'm telling the people above who are wondering how the Hawks play into the market for the top free agents this summer.

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Losing Howard for nothing or a worse deal. Horford and Lou Williams is probably the best offer they'll get for Howard. As long as Howard has a place he can walk to in his back pocket for leverage, like Dallas, LA will take the deal.

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Right. We agree at this point.

Why is Atlanta WITH Horford, etc. that place? Is that a better place than the Lakers?

I don't think it is.

Now, Atlanta doesn't have to be the place he could walk to, but there would have to be some place he'd really sign with and Atlanta would have to be at least close to the best offer for the Lakers and close to the best for Dwight. Houston can work something with Asik, for instance.

ETA: I'm not saying it can't or won't happen. Clearly, it can and might. I'm just saying it's more complicated than just Howard pointing and things falling into place and pointing out some of those complications.