Do the bold moves guarantee anything? Other than the fact that the Magic are trying to keep their star happy and on a championship level, no. There are no guarantees. If the experiment blows up, as the Cleveland concoction of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison famously imploded, then Howard simply will be one step closer to being Carmelo Anthony.
After the anticipated lockout ends, Howard will be entering the final year of his contract followed by an early-termination option for 2012-13. He would be set to join another epic free-agent class, which also could include Paul, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose. Depending on what the league's free-agent rules and payroll structure will be, Howard could have substantial leverage to force a trade during the season-and-a-half leading up to the 2012 trade deadline.
People with knowledge of Howard's thinking said the superstar is on board with Orlando's moves, with one saying he's "a big fan" of the changes. But as he grew restless over the summer about the developments in South Florida, and as the Magic were exposed in recent weeks, Howard privately already was beginning to weigh his options. Like the list of stars he wanted to join him in Orlando, he was forming another list: potential suitors for him. Two teams were on it, according to sources: the Knicks and Lakers. Howard dreams as big as he is.
If things don't work out in Orlando, Kobe Bryant could very well be pursuing his seventh championship next season -- the one that would push him past Michael Jordan and onto a pedestal by himself in modern basketball immortality. With constant uncertainty about Andrew Bynum's knees, Howard would be in a position to orchestrate a union with Bryant that would stir memories of the Kobe-and-Shaq days -- only, perhaps, more scary.
Or, if the Knicks were able to become the patient beneficiaries of a cosmic breakup in Denver by securing Carmelo Anthony through a trade or free agency, Howard might seek to swoop in and bring his massive physique to basketball's biggest stage. The Big Three of Howard, Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire would make Miami's trinity seem irrelevant.
For now, Howard gets a new supporting cast and a real chance to chase down the original Big Three in Boston and Pat Riley's imposing creation in South Beach. If it works, there will be no need for Howard to bring his talents anywhere else. But the stakes are higher than Howard can jump. What happened Saturday in Orlando is all the proof you need of that.
For more from Ken Berger, check him out on Twitter: @KBerg_CBS
12/19/2010 5:22 PM
