NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Will Out-Villian LeBron If He Leaves in Free Agency

If the Orlando Magic don't trade Dwight Howard under the assumption that he wants to re-sign, and he still leaves them to go to another team, he would become the biggest villain in sports.

He will become more hated than some of the most hated figures in the sports world today, even LeBron James.

How could the likable "Superman" with the golden smile and funny personality become more hated than the very man who publicly ripped out the heart of his hometown team on national television?

Check out this disturbing rumor from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:

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For everything Dwight Howard has told the Orlando Magic management about bringing him a stronger supporting cast, about the possibility that he could still sign an extension, it has turned into a complete ruse—a misdirection play on his eventual signing with the Brooklyn-bound New Jersey Nets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

With the combination of Howard’s disdain for confrontation, desire to be liked and a pragmatic belief that a trade is no longer in his best long-term interests, Howard has created an illusion with the Magic that there are factors that could cause him to sign an extension with the team.

“Dwight’s gone, and [Magic CEO] Alex Martins is the only person who doesn’t believe that,” a league source with knowledge of Howard’s intentions told Yahoo! Sports.

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Could D12 be playing the Magic into thinking that he will stay with the team in free agency, when really he knows he won't?

If true, and I cannot tell you what is or what isn't at this point, this would be an almost malicious act of selfishness on his part.

If you thought LeBron having a free agency party on national television was bad, think again. At the very least LeBron had the decency to not lie to the Cavaliers and lead them on. Everybody, including the Cavaliers, knew he was actively searching for a new place to take his talents.

According to this report, Howard may be leading the Magic on, and this is me hoping it's not on purpose.

Either way, if the Magic don't trade Howard under the assumption he comes back, and he still goes, that would be a travesty.

It would literally be one of the most despicable actions to ever take place within the business realm of sports—at least publicly—and there would be no excuses.

D12 would become the most hated man in sports. In fact, he would make LeBron look like the good guy.

For Howard's sake and the Magic's, I hope this is just a rumor and nothing more.