Dwight Howard Rumors: Breaking Down the Latest Buzz Around Magic Superstar
You can almost sense the paranoia behind the scenes of the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard wants out, the team is convinced he won't leave and we have a pile of rumors to sort through.
Let's begin with the news that will shape things for the Orlando Magic heading into the trade deadline a couple weeks from now.
Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos is not entirely convinced that Dwight Howard will leave the sunny, albeit humid, town of Orlando. ESPN's John Hollinger writes as much in an Insider piece for the network:
"How are the Magic going to convince their 85-year-old owner that it's time to rebuild? 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.
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Well, if they can get the old man to see logic, there is plenty to be had out there in the form of trades. Here is some of the latest buzz surrounding Superman currently.
Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy reports Howard has made it clear that he would like Steve Nash to be the point guard feeding him down low:
"I'm told that Dwight Howard has asked the Magic to pursue Steve Nash. Would Nash keep Howard in Orlando for at least one more year? Maybe." — Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 27, 2012
If the Magic are going to send off Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson and what I assume to be a package of other players for this deal, I would hope they get Howard to sign an extension before this is consummated.
The nightmare scenario is Howard getting to play with Nash before both bolt in the summer, leaving the Magic with no big man and a dearth of talent.
We also have some Nets news to report on Dwight Howard.
This has been the most likely destination all along for the big feller, so it stands to reason the dawn of March would bring some heat to New Jersey rumors.
Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger writes this is counter to good, sound logic. He thinks the Nets have measured the temperature in the room and are willing to ride out this fiasco until July:
"By now, the Nets probably believe they have the most to gain from the status quo, so they'll probably play defense until the deadline passes — sabotage a deal here, plant a negative report about somebody there. It's all part of the pursuit — keep the game's best free agent in play for as long as possible, and let your pitch stand on its merits.
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I am inclined to believe him. Howard may stand to gain more financially by either being dealt now or staying in Orlando, but his pleas may be falling on deaf ears, as we noted earlier.
Orlando Magic
That leaves us with the latest on Howard kicking up his feet and relaxing in beautiful, albeit humid, Orlando.
Mark J. Miller of Yahoo! Sports reports on the exchange reporters had with Howard's mom at the All-Star game.
The report issues that she wants her son to stay in Orlando. As for Howard, he wasn't exactly feeling that, saying, "That's my mom's opinion. ... I don't want to talk about that stuff right now."
That sounds like a man that has already packed his bags.
Please, Orlando, for all that is right for your fans, get something for the best center in the game. Time is running out.
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