NBA Rumors: Why Dwight Howard Will Remain in Orlando for Remainder of Season
Dwight Howard will be with the Orlando Magic for the rest of this season. All the evidence points toward this result and its likelihood is boosted by a variety of factors.
The Magic have been winning lately, despite trade rumors hanging over the head of their star player, Howard. Since losing a terrible game to the Charlotte Bobcats on March 6, the Magic have beaten the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers and have an opportunity to beat the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
This type of winning basketball is what could keep Howard in Orlando until the offseason and possibly beyond that. Howard's seeming uncertainty and the fact that the Magic seem to be willing to do anything to keep him are other factors that could keep him in Orlando.
It's All About Winning
Right now, the Magic have a 27-15 record, which is the third-best in the Eastern Conference. The two teams in front of them, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, have each been beaten by the Magic this season.
Orlando has a two-game lead on Philadelphia for that No. 3 seed right now, and doesn't look to be relenting it any time soon.
That type of contention is the biggest thing that could convince Howard to stay. Players want to win. If his team can prove that that's what they want and can do, he'll won't be able to use winning as an excuse to leave.
Going 11-4 in your last 15 games is not a sign of a team that has given up or that can't win. Howard will have to keep that in mind if he continues to stand behind his trade demand.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
The old Clash song seems appropriate here. Conflicting reports have come out about whether Howard wants to leave Orlando or if he's just trying to find the best fit for himself.
Back in October, Howard came out and said that he was conflicted about leaving Orlando. He basically stated that, while he liked Orlando, he wasn't sure of what else he'd be able to accomplish there.
In that same article, Howard expresses how he likes to feel wanted. That type of sentiment has led many to question whether this whole this is just a way to gauge his value and whether he just wants to receive similar treatment to that which Lebron James got two years ago.
Either way, the doubt is there. Howard doesn't know what he wants for sure, that's clear. He likes Orlando, but wants to do his best and feel that may be better somewhere else.
This should give the Magic management and fans something to be hopeful about. If Howard isn't sure if he'll even leave at all, the Magic would be dumb to trade him, which guarantees that he'll leave.
I'll Do Whatever You Want, Just Don't Hurt Me
Magic GM Otis Smith has stated that there is a 50/50 chance that his team will keep Dwight Howard for the rest of the season.
That means one thing. Not only is he looking into trading Howard, but he's also looking at what other roster changes he could make to convince Howard to stay.
The Magic appear desperate to keep their superstar center, willing to make any deal that will bring in talent to satisfy him.
Shaquille O'Neal, another superstar center, left in the 1990s for the Lakers and went on to win three titles and become a cinch Hall-of-Famer. The Magic don't want to see that happen again.
This willingness to do whatever it takes to keep Howard should be comforting to fans. However, it is a cautionary tale historically.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were similarly compliant with the demands of James, only to have him leave them for greener Miami pastures in free agency.
Willingness to work with a superstar must be supported by a shrewd backup plan.
However, these factors clearly point toward Howard being a member of the Magic for the rest of this season.
His team is winning, he isn't sure about what he wants and Magic management is willing to pull any kind of magic necessary to keep him.
Howard will still be in Orlando on March 16.
