Keeping Score wrote:
Warriors owner Joe Lacob has no interest in sending Monta Ellis to Orlando to help the Magic keep Dwight Howard, wanting instead to preserve his own slim chances of landing the All-Star center, league sources told CBSSports.com Tuesday.
The Magic's attempt to put together a three-team deal that would've sent Ellis to Orlando and Andrew Bogut from Milwaukee to Golden State didn't pass muster with the Warriors' owner. The scenario was motivated by the Magic's ongoing efforts to appease Howard by acquiring a top-flight talent in the hopes that he stays.
Howard's representatives reiterated to teams inquiring about him in recent days that his No. 1 choice remains the Nets, and also revealed that he has a list of several players he'd like to play with, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday. Ellis, the Warriors' electrifying guard, is on the list, the person said. Nets point guard Deron Williams is presumed to be on it as well, though Howard's desire for new teammates is unclear beyond that.
It only added to the absurdity of the Howard sweepstakes after it was reported Tuesday that the Magic have promised to allow Howard to decide whether Magic GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy would be retained after the season -- a preposterous notion that would completely undermine the organization's ability to navigate the decision of whether or not to trade him. Orlando executives are planning to explore upgrades to the roster that would satisfy Howard until Wednesday, at which point they will shift to the franchise-shaping decision of whether to trade their superstar by Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline or wait until the summer.
As for Bogut, who has not commented publicly on a reported trade request, the Warriors continue to pursue a trade for the 7-foot Australian outside of the three-team framework that would've involved Orlando. The Bucks also have spoken with the Wizards about Bogut, but the two sides "couldn't get the numbers to match up," a source said.
The Rockets have been informing teams that they're backing away from a potential deal for Bogut to pursue other avenues. It's a tactic they've used before, such as prior to the 2010 deal that sent Tracy McGrady to New York. But one person familiar with Houston's strategy said the Rockets don't want to jeopardize other deals while they wait for a decision from the Bucks. A trade for Bogut would be complicated because the Bucks would have to find a landing spot for Stephen Jackson and the $10 million he is owed next season.
i think that's foolish, the Warriors don't really have a chance...but I am pleased they aren't willing to assist Orlando
i still can't get over the fact they're letting him decide if Van Gundy and Smith stay or not
that can't possibly be true
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