NBA Rumors: Dwight Howard's Mixed Messages Will Hinder Market at Trade Deadline

And so the dangerously frustrating (and all-too-public) game of “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” plays on between Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the wilted flower down its final few petals in the waning hours before the NBA trade deadline comes and goes.

Without any firm answer either way. 

First, there was the team’s ultimatum that Dwight either opt in for 2012-13 or ship out, followed shortly by word, from Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD (and others), that he’d go for the former. 

"

Source says Dwight Howard met with Magic CEO Alex Martins and owner Rich DeVos this afternoon, informing them that he'll opt-in next season.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 14, 2012"

"

Dwight Howard has also told several friends and family members that will opt-in to the final year of his contract, according to sources.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 14, 2012"

"

With that said, nothing is official until Dwight Howard signs the ETO waiver. The Orlando Magic are waiting on Howard's signature.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 14, 2012"

Then came Superman’s meeting with his teammates in San Antonio, during which, according to Marc J. Spears and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, he stopped short of committing beyond the current campaign.

"

Two Magic players said DH told players at shootaround to keeping doing jobs, be accountable and they have a chance to win. Nothing on opt-in

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) March 14, 2012"

"

Said one Magic player on Howard meeting: "Next year was not even mentioned in meeting...He told us he was "all-in" for this season."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 14, 2012"

Now, there’s this from Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, in light of Howard's decision to not wave the opt-out clause in his contract:

"

Magic continuing to explore Dwight Howard deals, league sources tell SI. No indication anything DH has said today changing that.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 14, 2012"

In other words, as writer and broadcaster Dan Cook once said, it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings. 

Which, for those of you keeping track, should come right around 3:00 p.m. EDT. 

Now, the New Jersey Nets figure to ramp up their efforts to bring Superman closer to Metropolis rather than wait for him to hit free agency. Otherwise, they risk losing Howard and fellow free-agent-to-be Deron Williams all in one fell swoop. 

Trouble is, the Nets won't be the only ones in the running, nor even the ones with the most to offer the Magic. The Los Angeles Lakers may well swoop in and steal Howard from under New Jersey's nose, seeing as how All-Star center Andrew Bynum is still far better than just about anything the Nets can offer in return. As might the Houston Rockets, who've shown interest in Howard despite his lack of interest in staying with them long-term.

In the meantime, the Lakers, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers will continue to kick each other's tires on the likes of Steve Blake, Jamal Crawford, Michael Beasley and Ramon Sessions.

In between frequent check-ins with their local seismologists, of course, to make sure their buildings are secure when the NBA landscape reshuffles (or doesn't) once Dwight Howard finally (and mercifully) makes up his mind...or has it made up for him.

Stay tuned.

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