NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard's Magic Act Should Move to New Jersey Nets

Dwight Howard's time in Orlando has to come to an end sooner rather than later. With the NBA trade deadline just over one month away, the writing is on the wall for both the All-Star center and the Magic. It is just a question of when not if he gets dealt.

According to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, Magic general manager Otis Smith and his staff will meet with Howard around March 1 to figure out the next course of action.

It is obvious what that means. The team has been so inconsistent this year that not even their current three-game winning streak should make them feel optimistic about what lies ahead.

They are clearly the sixth-best team in the Eastern Conference right now, and they don't have the money to make a big acquisition to improve their status.

Alex Kennedy of Hoops World wrote over the weekend that Howard could be forcing his way to New Jersey, which is where he has been wanting to go ever since these rumors started in the offseason. 

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Multiple sources believe Howard will force his way to the Nets, and he certainly has leverage, just like Carmelo Anthony had last year when he would only agree to sign an extension with the New York Knicks. Howard wants to team up with Deron Williams, loves the idea of playing in Brooklyn and knows that the front office will involve him in the decision-making process.  

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The Lakers were one of the most talked about potential suitors for Howard's services, but Kennedy wrote that the center is not likely to sign a long-term deal with them, all but eliminating them from this race. 

Of all the teams linked to Howard, the Nets have always made the most sense. They have a capable young center in Brook Lopez they can build a deal around, though his health could throw a monkey wrench into that plan. 

The Magic need to look at the bigger picture instead of waiting for this team to play better. They got burned by Shaquille O'Neal in 1996 after he signed with the Lakers. That move set this franchise back for years, and they are facing the exact same situation with Howard. 

The biggest difference between then and now is they aren't competing for the Eastern Conference title against Michael Jordan. They are fighting just to get into the playoffs. 

It will be painful, but the best move for the Magic, Nets and Howard will be for him to take his talents to New Jersey before the March 15 trade deadline. 

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