NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard for Amar'e Risky but May Be Magic's Best Option

The Orlando Magic have made one thing clear: They will not make the mistake of letting Dwight Howard walk like they did with Shaquille O’Neal 15 years ago.

Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that ancient owner Rich DeVos and his family have given the official order to deal Howard before the deadline unless the superstar big man signs an extension.

It’s looking more and more likely that the reigning three-time Defensive Player of the Year is not going to extend his contract with the Magic and will be heading elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason.

Right now, the team is 6-3 and Howard is averaging an impressive 18.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 2.0 assists and even 1.4 steals per game, which isn’t surprising considering he is in a contract year.

They look like a franchise that could make some noise in the playoffs but has little chance of winning it all with Ryan Anderson as its second-best player.

Howard even said, according to Schmitz, “I don’t think (the Magic) are going to do anything right now because we’re winning. Even if this is the last season, let’s go out hard, regardless.”

While being part of a good team was one of the reasons why he wanted to be traded, GM Otis Smith also acknowledged that, “Dwight wants to be in a big market. There’s nothing I can do about that.”

So how will Smith address this monstrous elephant in the room?

One option is working a deal for Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum, who has been lighting it up since his return from suspension. It would put Howard on the winning, big-market club he desires in return a young, promising center.

However, there have been whispers of a trade headlined by those two since the offseason, but the logistics of it have turned out to be a nightmare.

Another intriguing option to satisfy Howard’s intent to go to a major city and getting value for him would be to work out a trade with the New York Knicks for Amar’e Stoudemire.

According to Frank Isola of The New York Post, Stoudemire and Howard’s salary cap figures match up, but there is concern about his uninsured contract and the three years, $65 million left on it.

The Knicks had no qualms offering a max-deal to Amar’e last offseason, despite his multiple knee surgeries and back issues, and so far the risk has paid off.

They returned to the postseason for the first time since 2004, mostly behind the stellar play of the hyper-athletic PF/C.

As an added bonus, they were also able to recruit Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler to the team and have the pieces in place to compete for a championship.

If the Magic cannot work out a deal for Bynum before the deadline, they need to explore a trade for Stoudemire, an Orlando native. 

The risk of losing Howard for nothing and setting the franchise back is far more dangerous than acquiring the Knicks big in return and gambling on his health. Amar’e has yet to suffer a serious injury since leaving the Phoenix Suns and could be an instrumental part of the Magic for the foreseeable future.  

While it’s not likely to happen any time soon, the trade deadline is looming closer by the day and Smith’s options will become limited.

Don’t be surprised if this rumor gains steam and the two teams actually start serious negotiations.