Orlando Magic Rumors: Recapping the Latest News and Speculation

No NBA team will have more eyes and ears on them during the next few weeks then the Orlando Magic.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching and Dwight Howard still in an Orlando Magic uniform, everyone will be paying close attention to what the Magic will do with their franchise center.

The option is there to deal him, but it's looking more likely by the day that Howard could be in Orlando at least until season's end.

Sitting at 22-13, with the third best record in the Eastern Conference, Orlando general manager Otis Smith must make the tough call on whether this team are serious contenders or not.

If Smith tries to improve the current club, there are several options out there right now.

Here's a look at the latest buzz around the NBA when it comes to the Orlando Magic.

Steve Nash

Howard has asked the Magic for Steve Nash and according to Alex Kennedy at HoopsWorld, the Magic are aggressively trying to acquire the two-time MVP.

Kennedy reports.

"

The Orlando Magic has made offers for Nash in the past and sources close to the situation say that they’ll attempt to acquire the 16-year veteran in the next two weeks. Dwight Howard has asked the front office to pursue Nash and sources close to Howard believe he won’t exercise his early termination option if the team is able to acquire Nash and re-sign him this summer.

"

Unfortunately for the Magic, Nash has yet to demand a trade and the Suns are still holding their ground by saying they have no intention of trading him.

Monta Ellis

Ellis is another player Howard has asked for and the Magic are aggressively pursuing, but getting him into an Orlando uniform seems even less likely than acquiring Nash.

The Warriors are still in on Howard, but according to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group, the only way Ellis is traded to Orlando is if they can get Howard in return.

In addition, ESPN's Chris Broussard adds that the Magic don't have the assets to acquire Ellis on his own.

Dwight Howard

Howard's stance hasn't changed on his trade demands and while New Jersey still remains his top choice, according to his agent Dan Fegan, he's no longer willing to sign an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As for New Jersey, the Magic don't like what the Nets have to offer and would like to see a third or possibly fourth team involved in the talks, according to Broussard.

It looks more and more like Howard may have to sign with the Nets as a free agent if that's his intended destination. This would allow New Jersey to keep assets like MarShon Brooks, Anthony Morrow and Kris Humphries.

But if the Nets can't acquire him by the deadline, don't rule out the Dallas Mavericks landing Howard as a free agent. The longer this drags out, the better chance Dallas has.

Joe Johnson

Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area New Group notes that the Atlanta Hawks are back in the mix inquiring about Howard, and that the Hawks are prepared to offer a package of Joe Johnson and Al Horford.

Thompson added to that by tweeting the same thing and also makes the point that Howard grew up in Atlanta and is very good friends with current Hawk Josh Smith.

Andrew Bynum

Despite the Lakers no longer being a team Howard would sign an extension with, that hasn't stopped them from trying to acquire the star center. The New York Post's Peter Vecsey reported that Los Angeles offered Bynum in exchange for Howard during the All-Star break.

His report included the following from a Western Conference executive:

"I can tell you for a fact the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and the Magic do not want him."

Orlando quickly shot down the Lakers offer.