NBA Rumors: Magic Reportedly Mulling Absurd Dwight Howard Trade to Knicks

The Orlando Magic have been kicking around the Dwight Howard conundrum for so long that they have gone a little delirious. 

While you read about this rumor, keep in mind that so far the Magic have thwarted all trade attempts while deciding what to do with Howard. If this rumor is true, the Magic have thrown that strategy out the window, and flew into the D-12 trade market with reckless abandon. 

The Rumors

Stephen A. Smith was broadcasting a coup of information on his ESPN radio show. He claimed hearing from his sources of the following proposed trade. Here is what he had to say, according to IamaGM.com:

"

The Orlando Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

"

Now, just because the boisterous Stephen A. has reported news from his sources it does not make it fact. Of course, neither are the Magic's statements denying the trade. 

Whatever the case may be, these rumors are certainly as believable as they are foolish. The Magic are undoubtedly getting anxious to attain a good deal for their center before he walks.

They can talk all they want about believing they can re-sign their prized big man, but the writing is on the wall, and it says he's not coming back.

So, for the sake of this article, we shall proceed under the assumption that these rumors are true. 

The Foolishness of the Trade

Orlando has waited too long to all of a sudden lust after this trade. They have teams proposing all kinds of offers. They are in a position to ask for anything they want, and this is what they have chosen. 

If they are going to talk to the Knicks about a trade, they have to start with Carmelo Anthony—not Amar'e "No Knees" Stoudemire.

Remember, the Magic should be shooting for the moon, not a backup plan.

Stoudemire is a big man who has made his money in the NBA by moving around the floor better than anyone close to his size. That mobility is fading with every game as he lumbers on knees that have seen better days.

The red flags are already clearly waving. Not counting the '05-'06 season, where he only played three games, the 17.6 points he's scoring this year is the lowest amount he has averaged since his rookie season—and the numbers get worse.

Stoudemire is averaging fewer rebounds than any season, and his shooting percentage is far below that of any season.

All of this makes taking on his massive deal and the three-plus years remaining a horrible idea.

What are the Magic Thinking?

You don't take on a bum contract to land Tyson Chandler.

Chandler is a solid addition of a role playing center, but he is 29 years old and certainly not valuable enough to make this trade a good idea. 

This trade would doom the Magic's future instead of brightening it. They would be bound with a huge contract lugging a broken player down, and an aging defensive-minded center in the first year of a four-year, $58 million deal.