Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Orlando Stuck in Impossible Situation with DH12
The Orlando Magic are stuck between a rock and a hard place with Dwight Howard, and they are going to end up getting nothing in return for their star center. They are going to get "LeBroned."
According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the actual odds of Howard re-signing with the Magic in the off-season are slim to none.
"“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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And as for the odds of the big man going to New Jersey—er, Brooklyn? Apparently pretty good.
"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.
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If these reports are true, the Magic are in trouble. Let's take a look at the possible scenarios before Thursday's trade deadline.
Trade Howard to the Nets
This was always a big possibility for the Magic, as they've had their eye on Brook Lopez and other assets. But if Howard signing with Brooklyn in the off-season is so inevitable, the Nets have no reason to make a deal.
It's not like they are in contention this year. Just wait half-a-season and hold on to Lopez and your draft picks.
Trade Howard to another team
This might be the best possible route for the Magic.
However, if Howard is planning on going to the Nets next year, Orlando has to find a playoff contender that just wants DH12 for half-a-season. And in that case, the Magic won't get full value for the superstar.
Still, as bad as selling Howard for cheap sounds, something is better than nothing.
Keep Howard
All along Howard has said that if Orlando gets some big pieces around him, he'll stay, and I guess there's always some hope of that happening. But it appears now, at least according to Wojnarowski, that isn't true.
"Martins has improved the franchise’s relationship with Howard, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports. But as one source talking to Martins and Howard said: “That’s great, but [Dwight’s] still going to leave.”
Said another official, who has been involved in deal talks with Orlando, New Jersey and the agents in the process: “Dwight is going to [expletive] them, and that will be especially true if he doesn’t even ask for the sign-and-trade on July 1, because he wants Brooklyn to keep assets.”
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Sorry, Magic fans.
