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The Whiteboard: Will Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard get bought out?

By Ti Windisch

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks talks with Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic on January 16, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Magic defeated the Knicks 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks talks with Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic on January 16, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Magic defeated the Knicks 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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As NBA teams attempt to figure out their financial situations moving forward, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard could be cap casualties.

NBA careers can take incredibly quick turns, either for good or otherwise. Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are two good examples of the otherwise. With 20 All-Star nods between them, there’s no doubt Carmelo and Dwight have had excellent careers. Due to Father Time rearing his unfailing head and the NBA changing drastically, however, neither player is as effective as they once were. And yet both players are being paid as though they are still superstars as they enter the final years of big money contracts.

This makes things complicated. Could one of Carmelo or Dwight be willing to take less than they’re entitled to this upcoming season in exchange for getting to find a new team? The Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets would certainly have interest in such an arrangement.

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Good agents make a lot of difference in these kinds of situations. If there are good contract offers available to either player, taking a little less in addition to a new deal isn’t the worst idea. They’re certainly under no obligation to do so, and if the Thunder and Nets were so disinterested in having Carmelo and Dwight, respectively, then they could simply release them and pay out the full contract value.

There has already been a report about the Nets having interest in buying out Dwight, and considering his postseason shortcomings, Carmelo could end up in similar talks. Will either of these former All-Stars impact the NBA landscape should they find a new team?

The last time a team thought Carmelo was the missing piece it did not go that well. He’s not a max contract player or a primary option at this stage of his career. If he decides to take a lesser role and less money, he could be a helpful piece. If either or both of those things are possible remains to be seen.

Dwight is far from the player he was in Orlando, but he still is effective. Unfortunately, he’s not been able to have a good run with any team since leaving the Magic. If Dwight can join a team without tanking their team chemistry also remains to be seen. Either player could help a team, but the circumstances have to be just about perfect.

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