NBA Trade Rumors: Why Orlando Magic Must Ditch Dwight Howard Before Deadline

The Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard have been going back and forth on the issue of trading Howard. Multiple times Howard has asked for a trade and has even created a wish list of teams to help make it easier for Orlando.

On the other hand, Orlando’s owner Richard DeVos Sr. has said that he will not be trading Dwight Howard. So nobody really knows what will really happen with Howard; will he stay for the rest of the season and then run? Will Orlando smarten up and finally trade Howard?

There are numerous reason why Howard should be traded; I will list the biggest of reasons.

Orlando Would Get Something out of Trading Howard

If the Magic trade Howard now, they will at least get something to help replace him and salvage their season. This right here seems like the only reason that I would need to get rid of Howard now, rather than just letting him walk out at the end of the season and leave the Magic empty handed.

Howard said at the beginning of the season that he wants the Magic to bring someone else in to help him win a championship, but the Magic have not been able to do this, so it looks like the best option at this point is to send him somewhere that already has the other pieces.

Howard's Unhappiness Could Be Costing Them the Season

Howard is really unhappy with his place in Orlando right now, and he is making sure that everyone knows it. He has already blamed the other Magic players for the sub-par season.

More recently, he has tried to blame the coaches for not making him the team's closer. But let's be real here, Howard. You cannot expect the Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy to make a player with a 49 percent free-throw rate the closer.

The Magic Need Something to Change to Remain Title Contenders

The Orlando Magic have been struggling to find their stride all year long. But they have fought to a 19-11 record—good enough for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

With the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls starting to run away with the conference, Orlando wants to remain a legitimate contender.  Something needs to be changed and adjusted. With Howard wanting to be traded, this could be the change that they need.

Save Orlando from the Pain Lebron Caused Cleveland

Another big reason that Orlando needs to cut ties with Howard is to save the city of Orlando from the same pain that LeBron caused Cleveland with “The Decision.”

If Howard stays till the end of this season and then leaves—he could become the second most hated player in basketball.

In order to preserve Howard's reputation and for Orlando to make the best of a messy situation, Howard needs to go now—before March 15.