Dwight Howard Rumors: Why D12 Must Extend Contract to Be Traded

Another day, another Dwight Howard trade rumor.

That's how the entire season has been for Howard and the Magic.

While Howard was busy demanding a trade daily and coming up with his tiny list of teams he prefers, he and his agent really didn't put a whole lot of thought into the entire process.

With his desired list shrinking by the day, as there are questions if Howard would still sign an extension with the Lakers, what he's done is made it almost impossible for Magic general manager Otis Smith to deal him.

Orlando definitely needs to trade Howard, there is no questioning that. They can't let him walk for nothing, but they aren't just going to give him away either.

The Mavericks have nothing to offer right now and if the New Jersey Nets can't meet Orlando's demands, Howard better be prepared to finish the season in an Orlando uniform.

The strategy pretty much backfired and unlike Carmelo Anthony a year ago, Howard didn't set his sights on a team that has the assets to successfully acquire him.

He's backed himself into a corner and there is really only one way out.

If Howard really wants out of Orlando this season, he needs to sign an extension now and forget about his list.

Howard doesn't have to sign a max extension at the moment, but by simply exercising his $19 million player option or even adding a year to that, he becomes an attractive trade chip for pretty much every team in the league.

By throwing his precious list in the trash, Howard opens up the possibility of being dealt to teams such as Golden State, New York and anyone else in the NBA.

The Warriors are still pursuing the All-Star center, according to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, with a package centered around guard Monta Ellis being rumored.

New York also remains involved according to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post who uses an unnamed Eastern Conference general manager as a source who said.

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"I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. [Magic GM] Otis [Smith] deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what." 

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Basically, that shows that there are options for both the Magic and Howard.

For the Magic, there is the opportunity to make a good deal to better their franchise for the future.

For Howard, there's the opportunity for the fresh start he wants and the opportunity to finally get out of Orlando.

That's up to him, though, as he's pretty much down to only two options.

One, he plays out the season in Orlando and leaves as a free agent, leaving a bunch of money on the table.

Or he sucks it up and signs an extension, allowing the Magic to deal him to any team. Then if he's unhappy, he can do this all over again in a couple of years.

Boy, I can't wait for that.