NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard Is New Jersey Nets Bound, Sources Say

The Dwight Howard sweepstakes has been quite the turbulent ride for the New Jersey Nets, but according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! sports, sources say D12 is Brooklyn-bound next season.

“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.

In the same report, Wojnarowski makes it clear why Howard isn't sticking around.

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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.

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A few weeks back, it was being reported that Howard wanted to "work it out" with the Orlando Magic, but it was pretty clear that was only a ploy to finish out the season there and move on to free agency and out of Orlando.

The only question is: will it be at the trade deadline this season or in free agency during the offseason?

The Nets have long been Howard's preferred destination because of the opportunity to not only win, but globalize the D12 brand and to collect on a possible deal with Adidas.

Apparently the Nets are confident Howard will join them after the season when news surfaced that New Jersey might be low balling Orlando in an attempt to cash in on a possible desperation situation.

D12 must know that signing in the offseason will enable the Brooklyn Nets to have the maximum amount of talent and a core already in place upon which to build.

Now all that's left in the next few days is to see if the Magic can add pieces to help Howard and ultimately, convince him to stay. Or, the Magic can take whatever the Nets will give in order to salvage something for their All-Star center.

I'm not sure, but one thing in my mind is a certainty: D12 will be playing for the Nets at some point. The only thing now is whether he'll start in New Jersey or Brooklyn.