NBA Trade Rumors: Is Dwight Howard Rethinking His Magic Trade Request?

Dwight Howard may be reconsidering his trade request and staying in Orlando for the rest of this season, according to Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore.

Unfortunately for fans of the Orlando Magic, this isn’t going to end up meaning a whole lot unless GM Otis Smith can bring in some outside help between now and the offseason.

Howard has a player option to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, which means he can go to whatever team he chooses, assuming they can meet his asking price and he declines the extra year on his current deal.

Chris Paul was in the same boat during the offseason, and the league-owned New Orleans Hornets decided to move him to the Los Angeles Clippers, having a strong feeling they would lose him for nothing after the 2011-212 campaign.

The Magic have a better shot of retaining Howard’s services, but only if they are willing to make a trade and find some pieces that can help their big man win a championship.

When asked about another potential trade rumor that would have him playing in Chicago, Howard downplayed the situation.

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"We're not talking about trades," he said. "That has nothing to do with the position I'm in right now. At this point, my concern is helping my team get better. That's it." 

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Earlier in the year, Howard told the team he wished to be traded to the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks or Los Angeles Lakers.

Now it seems he may be focused on getting a second superstar to join him in his current location.

Pingalore found out that his team has been heavily recruiting the Nets’ Deron Williams, another player with an option to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

If Orlando could swing a deal for the talented point guard, it would be crazy for Dwight not to stick around.

The logistics of a deal have not yet been leaked, but you can almost be certain the Nets have a high asking price for the lone star on their roster as they prepare for their move to Brooklyn.

The Magic are going to have to pay the price if they want to keep Howard around and form a championship nucleus for years to come.

If they cannot get D-Will or another talented player this season, they are bound to lose their superstar and set the franchise back for years.