With the Finals well and truly behind us, the NBA has entered its crazy season- free agency. One rumour that has caught Australia’s attention is an alleged deal that would send Melbourne-born center Andrew Bogut to the storied Los Angeles Lakers in a deal for All-Star Dwight Howard.
Howard, the league’s top free agent target for the handful of clubs with enough salary cap space to chase the seven-time All-Star, has been rumoured to be part of potential deal to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Bogut and rising star Klay Thompson.
Australians Motum, Dellavedova Looked Past At NBA Draft
The Lakers are the only team able to offer Howard a full five-year, US$118 million deal, but after a disappointing 2012-13 season and a serious injury to star Kobe Bryant at season’s end, Howard is said to be contemplating a number of other destinations.
Andrew Bogut is coming off yet another injury plagued year, but finished the season strong and provided the Warriors with a number of impressive playoff performances against the Denver Nuggets and finalist San Antonio Spurs.
Howard met with the Warriors on Monday, one of three teams to pitch to the 211cm center and also included Golden State’s co-owner Joe Lacob, general manager Bob Myers and head coach Mark Jackson, and will meet with the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday before making a decision.
Golden State will factored into the equation if the Lakers learn Howard intends on leaving the franchise, opting to move him in a sign-and-trade deal rather than losing one of the NBA’s biggest names for nothing.
In more Aussie-related NBA news- young Australian Matthew Dellavedova will represent the Cleveland Cavaliers in next week’s NBA Summer League tournament in Las Vegas after having been looked over at last week’s NBA Draft.
The former St Mary’s standout is coming off a terrific senior college season, months after having started for Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
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Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images.
