Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Recent Comments Suggest Magic Plan to Trade D-12

The Orlando Magic are stuck between a rock and a hard place with Dwight Howard.

They don’t want to get Shaq-ed again, but they don’t want to let Howard force his way to a certain team that may not provide Orlando with much in return. Then there is the chance he decides to stay put.

Recently it looked like the team was poised to make one last push to add more talent as a way to entice D-12 to stay. Now in the latest episode of As the Dwight Howard Trade Rumors Turn, it sounds like Howard is going to be traded at some point before the March 15 deadline.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Howard and chief executive officer Alex Martins had a conversation this week about the former No. 1 overall pick’s long-term plans. When asked about the conversation, Martins sounded very guarded, saying, "Dwight and I have talked, and we've committed for the time being that we're not going to reveal the details of those discussions as we continue them."

Reading between the lines, Martins knows Howard is a goner.

“We’ve committed for the time being” is the phrase that sticks out. If Howard wanted to stay, obviously the news would have already broken. There would be no point in letting the insanity that has consumed the entire team continue. “The time being” is the next two weeks while the organization figures out the best deal they can land.

Howard likely told him he is going to leave the team no matter what this summer and that the Magic might as well trade him now to get something in return. Howard is loyal enough to not leave the only franchise he’s ever known out to dry, but disloyal enough to create the insanity that has been the first half of the Magic’s season.

It’s an extremely delicate situation and there are no easy answers. In recent days there are been rumors linking the Magic to Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash and Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors (via Orlando Sentinel). It comes off as a desperate team trying to take desperate measures.

However, even then I’m not sure it would be enough for Howard. It seems he has outgrown the city and is ready to take his celebrity to the next level. Wining may not necessarily be the main priority right now.

Mickey Mouse doesn’t quite carry the same luster if once did.

It’s only a matter of time before Howard is out of Orlando, and I think it happens before the March 15 deadline.