Dwight Howard Free Agency Thread

[Shane Mead]

but theres no disneyland in houston

I'm talking about Howard leaving the state of California to go to a team in the state of Texas. Dallas is still an outside chance to get him in my view.

 

[Footypie32]

Kennedy in his article talks about the cap situation. He proposes the extra year could be a reason to go to Houston because at 30 he is more likely to get another max contract rather than at 31. Also he would save about $10mill if he played for a team in Texas because of no state tax. He also talks about the cost of living that comes with being in LA.

 

[stewie griffen]

Umm California is one of the worst states in American for taxes lol.

Poor punctuation on my part.... Orlando had no state tax was my point

 

[Shane Mead]

It costs more to live in LA than it does to live in Houston or Dallas

 

[Shane Mead]

Poor punctuation on my part.... Orlando had no state tax was my point

So you are saying if no state tax was not enough to keep Howard in Orlando than it won't be a big part of what makes Howard decided to go to a Texas team?

 

[Footypie32]

It costs more to live in LA than it does to live in Houston or Dallas

He's on $25m+ a year...

 

[Shane Mead]

He's on $25m+ a year...

Let me explain...

If Howard stays in LA, he can get $20-30mill extra on his contract than if he leaves to another team. If it costs more to live in LA, and he will have to pay more in taxes then extra money he has to gain from staying is less than that $20-30 mill.

Is that difficult to comprehend? So if Howard is only after money it is important to establish the accurate amount he is set to gain or lose. The other reason this is important because Howard could actually sign a 3 year deal with another team, then sign another long term max deal.

The reason we are discussing all factors is because we can only guess what Howard is actually looking for. Is he one of those guys who wants to get as much cash as possible, does he want rings, does he want a say in roster moves or a combination?

People ship money to the ****ing Cayman Islands to save a few million, if Howard is all about the money I guarantee he is with his agent talking about cost of living, taxes etc.

 

[Footypie32]

I get the tax bit, but I can't believe a proffessional athlete would give a **** about the cost of living. The get everything for free anyway.

 

[stewie griffen]

So you are saying if no state tax was not enough to keep Howard in Orlando than it won't be a big part of what makes Howard decided to go to a Texas team?

It's not the deciding factor that's what i'm saying. Lots of guys have moved to bigger markets and paid more tax. Dwight is all about Dwight. If he falls out with LA over their gameplan or coach he's gone regardless of tax. If he wanted a max deal and to win, well he should have opted out and signed with Brooklyn and we all know how that played out. Now it just so happens that Houston have the cap room and are an emerging team in a smaller market, so that poor widdle Dwight won't get hassled so much by those pesky reporters who wonder why he can't shoot a free throw. The tax scenario is secondary imo.

(Also, the tax scenario is a little more complicated with taxes paid according to the game location as I'm sure you are aware. )

If i were Houston I'd almost be happy if he goes elsewhere tbh... mind you i cant stand him so im a little biased

 

[Shane Mead]

I get the tax bit, but I can't believe a proffessional athlete would give a **** about the cost of living. The get everything for free anyway.

The AFL cares enough about cost of living to give Sydney a larger salary cap. You may not care about it, but it is possible Howard is that type of person.

It's not the deciding factor that's what i'm saying. Lots of guys have moved to bigger markets and paid more tax. Dwight is all about Dwight. If he falls out with LA over their gameplan or coach he's gone regardless of tax. If he wanted a max deal and to win, well he should have opted out and signed with Brooklyn and we all know how that played out. Now it just so happens that Houston have the cap room and are an emerging team in a smaller market, so that poor widdle Dwight won't get hassled so much by those pesky reporters who wonder why he can't shoot a free throw. The tax scenario is secondary imo.

(Also, the tax scenario is a little more complicated with taxes paid according to the game location as I'm sure you are aware. )

If i were Houston I'd almost be happy if he goes elsewhere tbh... mind you i cant stand him so im a little biased

I'm not disagreeing with you, I was only clarifying your point.

Howard decided against opting out because at the trade deadline he was going to be dealt to Houston.

Yes I am aware about the taxes being paid according to state. In Houston he will play 41 games at home, then Mavs and Spurs away, twice each. More than half of his games would be in...TEXAS! As a member of the Lakers they have even more games in California. (Home, Clippers, Warriors, Kings). Clear now on how much the tax situation effects how much he takes home?

Houston is a smaller market but it is by no means a small market. Houston is still one of the top 15 markets in the NBA, the guy is going to work out with Olajuwon again this summer. Also the market you are in means nothing if you have a bad image, that is the most important thing. Plus the Rockets organization is massive in China...he can do press with Lin and even Yao during the off-season in China and become a bigger star than he is now. The Chinese still idolize McGrady to this day.

I think along a similar line to you, that is the Lakers move on D'Antoni and the ownership is given to jeanie Buss with Phil Jackson brought back then Howard will stay.

The tax scenario is secondary only if he thinks the money is secondary. As I said earlier, he opted in for another year in Orlando so he wasn't traded to Houston. He knew he wasn't going to stay in Houston and wanted this max contract. That is why I think it is a valid angle to still consider.

 

[stewie griffen]

I do agree with you on the tax front, I couldnt be bothered going into the details tho

The China thing is a good point.

An interesting parallel is LBJ, who took less to go to a smaller market team in a tax free state. Lets see what Derwight really cares about.

Dwight has a reputed 400 million dollar shoe deal (i cant find the exact number). What does he care about a couple of million in tax? If he takes the extra year with LA... its guaranteed max deal at 33, which he may or may not want.

Shall be interesting regardless

 

[Shane Mead]

I do agree with you on the tax front, I couldnt be bothered going into the details tho

The China thing is a good point.

An interesting parallel is LBJ, who took less to go to a smaller market team in a tax free state. Lets see what Derwight really cares about.

Dwight has a reputed 400 million dollar shoe deal (i cant find the exact number). What does he care about a couple of million in tax? If he takes the extra year with LA... its guaranteed max deal at 33, which he may or may not want.

Shall be interesting regardless

Lebron didn't give up that much. He also was not the only player to sacrifice money, he had Wade and Bosh do the same thing. It is easier to put a few mill to the side if two other stars do it with you.

It is not tax dollars on its own, tax dollars addition with cost of living mean the difference between LA and Houston in money is not as big therefore less of a guarantee he stays. Off course this varies on where he stands...your not really giving any evidence that shows why Dwight wouldn't care about the tax situation. You are just making an assumption...I prefer to keep things open. The last thing you should be doing as assuming someone you have never meant will think a certain way based on how you view the situation.

Or he could take a 3 year max with Houston, then sign another 5 year max deal. 8 years vs. 5 years (He won't be getting a max deal at 33...no way). He can streamline that $400mill dollar shoe deal into China and sell your image there for the rest of your life.

 

[Footypie32]

I guess the point that he left Florida to go to LA suggests he doesn't care about tax.

 

[stewie griffen]

You could also say that whatever he lost in tax he'd make back in LA from endorsements (and then some).

I cant wait for the D12 summer.... *yawn*

 

[nufan]

Isn't there also a loophole in the tax system that if you maintain residence in a tax free state such as Shaq has in Orlando your income is still protcted by that states income tax laws?

 

[ROSEMVP]

Isn't there also a loophole in the tax system that if you maintain residence in a tax free state such as Shaq has in Orlando your income is still protcted by that states income tax laws?

Pretty sure you have to pay State Tax in every state you play. The 41 Home Games is where the no state tax comes into play I think.

 

[nufan]

Pretty sure you have to pay State Tax in every state you play. The 41 Home Games is where the no state tax comes into play I think.

Thought so. But with Dwight playing in LA this year I remember reading somewhere he still didn't pay income tax on his salary from the Lakers because his primary residence was still Orlando.
I could be 100% wrong on that though.

 

[ROSEMVP]

Thought so. But with Dwight playing in LA this year I remember reading somewhere he still didn't pay income tax on his salary from the Lakers because his primary residence was still Orlando.
I could be 100% wrong on that though.

Weird System over in the states

 

[nufan]

Weird System over in the states

Won't hear an argument from me

 

[peternorth]

Look, if howard is worried about cost of living with his millions, his accountant is doingitwrong.

 

[ROSEMVP]

Look, if howard is worried about cost of living with his millions, his accountant is doingitwrong.

Dwight's big problem from what i've read he has quite a few baby mamas.

 

[LUKOZADE]

Dwight's big problem from what i've read he has quite a few baby mamas.

5 children to 5 different women.

The Only product he can't endorse these days appears to be condoms

 

[Vincent Chase]

Harden's new twitter follower.

 

[PykeDream]

What do Houston do if they land Howard? Trade Asik and Lin, ditch Delfino?

 

[BEEG]

Harden's new twitter follower.

Houston would need more then Howard to land a ring