NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Looking for Established Veterans in Dwight Howard Deal

The Orlando Magic are still willing to trade Dwight Howard, but are looking for established veterans that will keep the team competitive instead of moving toward a rebuilding movement, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

The Magic will not be holding out for youth and draft picks if and when they decide to trade their superstar center.

Atlanta made an offer headlined by veteran swingman Joe Johnson and his $124 million contract, along with versatile forward Josh Smith, and it appears that is the type of package Magic GM Otis Smith will be seeking.

Orlando can not afford to let Howard mope around this season and then walk away for nothing come summertime, but their owner also cannot afford to blow up what his franchise has worked to achieve and head back to the lottery.

Rich De Vos is 85-years-old and just built a new arena last season for the team. De Vos knows he has a closing window to build a championship team in is lifetime and is willing to pull out all of the stops to make it happen.

The team made a move to get Glen Davis and keep Jason Richardson this year and already proved they are serious about contending by spending.

So, when will the Magic move Howard?

The smart money is by the trade deadline.

By waiting until March 15, there are two benefits and little drawback.

One, the Magic will get more games out of Howard and, therefore, be in a better position to make a deep postseason run with whoever they get in return for the big man.

Two, there’s actually a chance he re-signs with Orlando by then. As slim as their chances may be, the Magic’s No. 1 option is to extend Howard’s contract and keep him in town.

This Dwight Howard trade saga isn’t going away anytime soon, so keep it tuned to Bleacher Report daily for the latest news and rumors on where Howard may end up or if he will re-sign with the Magic.