"All Range Mode!"

via cdn5.tweaktown.com

Based upon multiple stories throughout the past several weeks, it appears as if Orlando is more than willing to hold onto Howard through the trade deadline if no trade appears worthwhile to them. It also looks like Dwight has been feeding the Magic front office confidence that he would consider staying with the Magic beyond this year. Whether this is truthful or not remains to be seen. It is my interpretation and impression that Howard is looking to hold off until the summertime and continue to tell Orlando Management that he would consider remaining with the Magic because he can avoid depleting any future team he chooses of the valuable assets that they would otherwise give up in order to get Dwight via trade. A semi-recent article by Broussard seems to agree with this sentiment. If this is the road Dwight plans on going down, and if Orlando management is dumb risky enough to keep Howard after the trade deadline, shouldn't the Nets consider tanking at this point? Or are they already in this process? Brook Lopez, the second best player on this team, has practically missed this entire year. Brooks has been a positive story and will only get better. Humphries has carried the defensive and big man role effectively, and Williams has played to the caliber we expected from him since joining us last year. Still, we are the the third worst team in the East and even if we squeaked into the playoffs, to what benefit would it be versus what should be a good draft pick? With this draft pick, we would be holding a great asset that could develop into young talent or a trade piece. I think I would prefer that at this point. I've also heard that this years draft is going to be a deep one, although I'm not sure if anyone can confirm that. Either way, I think the Nets are better off tanking now, hope things go positively with Howard joining in the summer via free agency, and surrounding him with some great young talent.