Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Magic Reportedly Not Ready to Trade Superstar

It looks like Dwight Howard isn't going anywhere just yet.

According to the Orlando Sentinel (h/t RealGM.com), the Magic have not conclusively decided to trade Howard and will instead make every effort to convince him to sign a long-term extension.

This denial comes on the heels of a recent report by Chris Sheridan that claims the Magic are ready to part ways with Howard and are considering the Nets, Mavericks, Knicks, Clippers and Lakers as possible trading partners. Two sources have denied Sheridan's report, according to the Sentinel.

After the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs this season, team CEO Alex Martins told local sports reporter David Baumann that the team's No. 1 goal was to get Howard to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Orlando. He cryptically added that "necessary decisions will be made" if that goal was not met.

Apparently, those decisions have not yet been made. 

The Magic's entire 2011-12 season revolved around Howard's indecision and demands. Sources claimed he wanted to be traded before the 2012 deadline but backtracked at the last second, waiving his opt-out clause to stick around in Orlando in the hopes of signing an extension. Since then, the story has changed countless times, and now, here we are again.

What It Means

Sheridan's report stated that Howard was serious about wanting out of Orlando. Though it's impossible to tell if the report is false or if the Magic are just trying to exercise damage control, an extension for Howard seems unlikely. He's been wavering back and forth between wanting to stay and wanting to go for over a year, and the Magic aren't doing themselves any favors by humoring his indecision. 

It makes sense for the Magic to do everything they can to try to keep the best center in the game, but if he doesn't want to be there, he doesn't want to be there. Case closed.

What Comes Next

Howard will either sign long-term or he will be shipped out of town. Given the Magic's desperation to keep him, however, these negotiations could stretch on a lot longer than originally expected. You have to figure that the team will either sign him or pull the trigger by the beginning of next season. Otherwise, they will have to endure another entire year of Howard's soap opera.