NBA Rumors: Stubborn Magic Owner Will Keep Dwight Howard in Orlando All Season

While the rest of the world has come to grips with the fact that Dwight Howard is almost certainly done with the Orlando Magic at the end of the season unless he gets traded, Rich DeVos, the 85-year-old owner, doesn't see it that way. 

According to John Hollinger of ESPN.com, DeVos is steadfast in his resolve against trading Howard. He wants to see just how far this team can go and worry about the offseason when it gets here. 

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Until I hear a compelling case for why Rich DeVos wouldn't try to ride out the Dwight Howard Era for all its worth, I'll remain skeptical about Howard's chances of being traded by March 15. It doesn't matter that this is the most logical move from Orlando's perspective. Owners approve trades, and at his age, this owner might want to play it out. In fact, he's already told reporters he doesn't want to move Howard.

Even giving up on a playoff run this spring, with the Magic in third place in the East right now, may not be very appealing. Realistically, Orlando is a long shot to win the conference, let alone the title. But from DeVos' perspective, a long shot may be better than no shot.

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That was before the All-Star break, yet there has been no indication over the last four days that anything has changed from DeVos' perspective. 

Howard has made it very clear that he loved the reaction he got from New Jersey Nets and their fans last week.

This whole situation has a very Brady Bunch feel to it, with Howard playing the role of Marcia. He is already in an ideal situation as king of Orlando, but there is a bigger, more popular city out there that can do more for his street cred. 

Unless Howard breaks his nose after getting hit in the face with a basketball, the odds of him staying in Orlando after the season are slim to none. 

DeVos might have an idealistic view of what this Magic team really is—he is spending enough money to think they should be a title contender—but reality is going to smack him in the face if he chooses to ignore the writing on the wall. 

General manager Otis Smith must have the freedom to do what is in the best interest of the franchise, but he is hamstrung because the owner doesn't realize what is going on around him. 

This franchise was a mess when Shaquille O'Neal left for Los Angeles in 1996, and it appears that scenario is going to play itself out after this season. 

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