Dwight Howard: Should Otis Smith and Orlando Magic Have Consulted Him on Trades?

General Manager Otis Smith and the Orlando Magic need to do everything possible in an effort to keep Dwight Howard in the fold for the long haul.

When Howard appeared on 790 The Zone in Atlanta on the radio, he had some interesting words for his current team and how they approached the trades they made back in December.

The big man said that he would've liked to have been more involved in the decision making process, and hinted that the club should have consulted him before pulling the trigger on the moves.

It's interesting timing to make the comments to say the very least.

Howard recently told HoopsHype that he didn't feel that Gilbert Arenas got proper time on the court after being acquired from Washington in exchange for Rashard Lewis.

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“I don’t think our coach used him the right way, but I think he can do a lot of great things for our team."

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So far this offseason, Howard has stated that his priority is to remain in Orlando.

However, that desire clearly comes attached with a very special set of conditions.

He'll only sign an extension with the team if there are significant upgrades to the roster, he clearly wants to be more involved in the decision making progress and Howard is calling for an overpaid Gilbert Arenas to get more playing time.

Howard said that Arenas was used improperly. But what does he bring to the table?

It's tough to give an increased role to a player who averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shot just 34.4 percent from the field.

I don't think that's the type of production Howard really wants to see on the court with him.

Smith is in a precarious position as he attempts to build a team around Howard. While it's not quite the same as LeBron during his tenure in Cleveland, the two situations are comparable.

Ex-GM Danny Ferry was constantly searching for new ways to surround James with the talent that would allow the club to make it to the finals for a chance to win it all.

But you can't win without chemistry. And with constantly moving pieces coming and going from Orlando, it's almost impossible to build any sort of basketball culture, let alone a winning one.

Howard was within his right to say that he was frustrated that he doesn't have a bigger voice in the organization.

We're talking about a player that Orlando has promoted as the face of its franchise, the greatest thing since Shaquille O'Neal and a perennial All-Star that represents the city.

If that's truly how they feel, it's time that the Magic give Howard a more prominent role off of the court.

Orlando really needs to make a decision as to which direction their team is heading rather than delaying the inevitable.

If Dwight Howard leaves via free agency, the team won't recover quickly.

If the club gave him a more prominent voice within the team, he wouldn't have to take his opinions to the radio waves, where they've clearly created quite a stir.

Look at the Cavs in their first season after LeBron James' departure.

The Magic can't afford to have that happen.