Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Monta Ellis Is Magic's Only Chance to Keep Howard

Thus far in the ongoing Dwight Howard saga, the Orlando Magic have had two advantages over other NBA teams pining for the superstar's services.

First, he's spent his entire career in Orlando. Second, they're the only team that can offer him a max contract if he isn't traded before the offseason.

Still, that hasn't seemed to be enough to avert Howard's loving gaze away from Brooklyn and the Nets.

This means the fate of Orlando's basketball future may lie in their ability to acquire Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors.

Yes, I said Monta Ellis. We get the latest rumor surrounding the Orlando Magic from Chris Broussard of ESPN:

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No deal is imminent, but Orlando is trying to add Ellis to its roster in hopes of appeasing Dwight Howard. Rather than aggressively pursuing a trade of Howard before the March 15 deadline, the Magic are desperately seeking a move that will convince Howard he can stay in Orlando.

Howard has long mentioned Ellis, who is the seventh leading scorer in the league with a 22.2 points average, as someone he would love to play with.

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The only problem for Orlando, of course, is that Howard is their only valuable trade asset, as Broussard notes:

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Golden State is willing to listen to the Magic about a potential trade for its shooting guard, but there is little on Orlando's roster that appeals to the Warriors, according to sources.

Thus, the sides are not close to having the parameters of a deal in place. Instead, Orlando will begin looking for other clubs to get involved in a three-or four-team deal that would satisfy the Warriors and bring Ellis to Orlando.

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You can't blame the Magic for trying. Losing Howard—even via a trade—will set the franchise back. Trying to acquire a player like Ellis to make the team seem more attractive is a valiant last stand to keep the center around.

I have absolutely no idea how Orlando can make this deal work or what teams would be willing to get involved, but they have to try. Acquiring a player like Ellis, whom Howard likes, is the only chance they have at this point.

And, truth be told, Howard and Ellis would be a nasty combo.

The whole thing feels like a long shot, of course. However, with teams unlikely to wow the Magic with trade offers—knowing they might be able to simply sign the center this offseason—it's a long shot the Magic will be praying comes to fruition.

Even if they land Ellis and Howard leaves, at least they have a solid shooting guard on the roster, right?

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