Dwight Howard: Why the Magic Star Won't Be Traded at NBA Trade Deadline

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching on Thursday, March 15th, Dwight Howard, the most prized potential trade piece—and mouth piece—remains with the Orlando Magic. No one, not even Howard himself, seems able to conclude where he should, could or would go to continue his supposed title quest.

Not meaning to cross reference between major sports in North America, or how individuals sports leagues pay their employees and attain players' services, but we all know when we see a franchise want a specific player, they will do whatever it takes to get him! The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys are a couple examples of franchises that regularly wheel and deal or overpay for talent. So, my question is, why hasn't anyone thrown the lot to acquire Dwight Howard?

For nearly two years now Dwight Howard has made it public knowledge that he cannot decide whether he wants to stay in Orlando beyond this year or try to find happiness elsewhere for the 2012-13 NBA season.

The Orlando Magic have a problem: Do they trade their best player for assets for the future, or do they stand pat and let the season play itself out with a playoff run that could net a possible conference semifinal match with either the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls?

The former choice could enable the franchise to cushion the fall it will most likely take next year with Howard leaving while the latter—not trading Howard—will inevitably set the franchise back five years at least in a rebuilding mode like they did with the previous self-dubbed "Superman."

Decisions, decisions.

When you stack both choices against one another, the choice to trade him seems obvious. If you believe he wants to remain with Orlando, you just aren't paying attention. If he wanted to, he would have re-upped already, much like "Mr. Humble" Kevin Durant did. But you can't trade a guy if nobody wants him.

Yes, it is reasonable to assume that general manager Otis Smith may trade Howard and receive only 85 cents on the dollar. However, teams aren't even coming that close. Perhaps they are scared by the thought that Howard would just be a rental. Perhaps they don't see Howard as being the guy who can propel a team to the NBA Finals (which he can't) . Or maybe, nobody wants to deal with a player who is more interested in "building his brand," doing impressions, or talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Dwight Howard is a great player, no question. He is a three-time defending Defensive Player of the Year and averages a career double-double a night with even increased production through the playoffs. In his career, his scoring average has risen from 18.3 to 19.9 PPG and rebounding up from 12.9 to 14.4 PPG in the playoffs. No doubt, he can help a team.

However, he can't win a title by himself like a Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan could. But he is proving to be a bit of a diva—a large one.

Howard talks about wanting to play with other All-Stars to finally win a title. However, his comments suggest that he feels he is the one to carry a team, not simply being part of a puzzle. Other big men such as Shaquille O' Neal and David Robinson were pieces of a puzzle. So, what makes Dwight Howard any different from them? Aside from being lower on the list of the all time greats.

The reason why Howard has not been traded, and my assertion that he won't be, is simply the fact that the general managers in the league know this as well: Howard will cost way too much financially, and his lack of leadership will not yield a return on the investment in way of a title. Teams that are in contention don't have the wiggle room to take on a Howard contract presently, and teams on the cusp don't feel he is worth the risk because they are aware of his limitations.

For example, a career 60-percent free-throw percentage and an inability to knock down a 15-foot jump shot is not someone who can carry a team down the stretch. Howard arguably doesn't even have a dominant post move a la Kevin McHale or Hakeem Olajuwon.

No, Howard is not that guy. Even LeBron James had the wherewithal to realize he doesn't have the chops to do it alone. The secret is out, but Dwight has chosen not to hear it yet.

Come March 15, we will still see Howard moping up and down the floor with his rag-tag teammates (no offense, Jameer Nelson) in a Magic uniform. Media outlets will still give him the avenue to squawk about whether he will stay or go. They will beg for more impressions. They will pay every bit of attention to him after the deadline has come and gone with no change. They eat up his "personality" one bowl after another.

 For me, I know I won't be wondering why.