NBA Trade Rumors: Why Orlando Must Trade Dwight Howard

The Orlando Magic are in no unsure place. They must trade center Dwight Howard before next week's trade deadline falls.

As tired as Derrick Rose is from hearing speculation, the fact is that Howard has demanded a trade to one of four teams.

The New Jersey Nets (though they'd likely be eliminated if they fail to retain Deron Williams), the Los Angeles Lakers, their neighbors, the L.A. Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks.

He also entertained the idea of the Chicago Bulls earlier this week, though it sounded like he wasn't 100 percent convinced it would be a fit.

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"No, it's pretty cold here," he said. "It was cool here [Wednesday, when temperatures were in the 60s], so I had a chance to go out and see the city a little bit. It's a beautiful place. I've been here a couple of times."

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Regardless of destination, though, the Magic urgently need to deal Howard.

He Could Walk for Nothing

NBA players are often generous enough to re-sign with their current teams to execute a sign-and-trade so that their former team is not stripped completely of a superstar.

Take Miami Heat forward LeBron James. For all the things he did wrong, from "The Decision" to keeping the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the loop of his decision-making process, he still agreed to a sign-and-trade.

The deal allowed the Cavs to get two first-round picks and two second-round picks, along with a large trade exception.

However, NBA players are by no means required to do so.

Howard could easily hit the open market and say bye-bye to Orlando once and for all. After all, he's given them ample time to procure a trade for him, telling them from before the season even started that he wanted out.

If they fail to ship him while they can, he could easily justify not feeling obligated to allow Orlando that sign-and-trade opportunity.

And Orlando would be absolutely ruined.

The Magic Need Talent

After Dwight Howard, the Magic are pretty bare.

Fellow All-Star Ryan Anderson is the only other semblance of legit NBA talent, and the rest of the roster is rounded out by has-beens and never-will-be's.

Jameer Nelson is a so-so point guard who is already 30 years old. Jason Richardson was once one of the most exciting players in the NBA, now he's 31 and has lost a few steps. J.J. Redick has never been a great NBA player and never will be.

Despite their place as the current No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Magic are about to enter into a very real rebuilding period. They need to stockpile draft picks and cap space, both of which will come in large amounts with any deal for Howard.

It's Become a Distraction

Derrick Rose can't be the only one distracted by the constant trade-chatter surrounding Howard.

Look at the Los Angeles Lakers' situation. At the the beginning of the year it appeared they were looking to ship Pau Gasol off somewhere else.

After the Chris Paul trade fell through (read: was vetoed), the Lakers basically held Gasol in limbo. It was clear they were willing to trade him, and that they were fielding offers for him. He had no idea what jersey he'd be wearing the next day.

Not feeling secure in your job makes it sort of difficult to fully commit.

But it wasn't only a distraction for Gasol. Kobe Bryant got in on the act.

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"I talked to (Gasol) a little bit about it," Bryant said. "It's just tough for a player to give his all when you don't know if you're going to be here tomorrow. I'd rather them not trade him at all. If they're going to do something, I wish they would just (expletive) do it. If they're not going to do it, come out and say you're not going to do it. This way he can be comfortable, he can go out, he can play and he can invest all of himself into the game."

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Clearly, the same thing could be happening in Orlando. Nobody has said anything publicly, but that doesn't mean people aren't thinking about it. It can't be easy constantly hearing about your best player being sent elsewhere.

He Could Quit Down the Stretch

He hasn't shown any signs of letting up yet, but if he isn't traded by next week, there's a real chance Howard could simply lay down the rest of the season.

Or worse, in the playoffs.

Has anybody forgot LeBron James' last playoff series in a Cavaliers uniform?

I doubt it.

James was sluggish, lazy and didn't appear to care about the outcome of the games at all. He knew he was leaving Cleveland even if he didn't know where he was going yet.

What's the difference for Howard?

The guy knows he's the best center in the NBA (it's not even close) and that he will basically be able to go wherever he wants in free agency. Even with Howard, the Magic most likely can't hang with either the Heat or the Bulls in a seven-game series.

So what's the incentive for Howard? That's simple, there is none.

He's leaving.