NBA Rumors: How Dwight Howard's Indecision Impacts League's Deadline Plans

Dwight Howard has changed his mind two or three times in the last 24 hours as to whether he is staying or going. Then, as though he was just trying to play mental games with the world, he changed his mind again early this morning in an interview with RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph.

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“Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando,” Howard told RealGM. “I just can’t leave it behind.”

“I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city,” he said. “They didn’t deserve none of this.”

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According to Rudolph, "Howard said that he plans on signing the ETO waiver first thing on Thursday morning. He also plans on making some internal changes to ensure this situation isn't repeated in the future."

Of course, you, me, Otis Smith, and everyone who has been watching the situation will know it's the final word when he has actually signed the paper and had it notarized and the original filed away in the Orlando front office.

There's nothing to keep a man who has changed his mind three times in less than 24 hours form changing it a fourth time. 

And that's where every GM in the league would probably like to shake him, because his indecision, (which amazingly is making The Decision look reasonable) is holding up the entire trade chain. 

One ramification of this could be that Pau Gasol talks start heating up again. With Howard off the market, some teams who were desperate to land Howard may go for the next-best big man who is available.

According to Chris Palmer of ESPN, interest in Gasol had fallen off, but it could heat up again, and it's not impossible the Lakers could deal him before the day is over. 

That has ramifications on other deals that the Lakers are working, such as a potential three-way deal with Minnesota and Portland that would bring Michael Beasley to LA. 

This in turn, affects other deals as well. Houston has been in talks as well, including shopping Courtney Lee, who are asking for "a lot in return." Houston also has some crossover with the Lakers both in talks for Gasol and for Michael Beasley. 

Finally there's the situation with Deron Williams in New Jersey, because if the Nets don't get Howard, then they are going to have a hard time keeping him and are going to have to deal him. 

The bottom line is this. Everything is eventually connected to Howard. There is going to be a moment when either Howard signs the waiver, which would mean that he would not opt out, (in other words, stay in Orlando) or else he says he won't. 

At that moment, a number of deals will either fall or not fall. The question is, at what point do you stop waiting for Howard to make up his mind? 

In fairness to Howard, there is one point which is lost. If he were to waive the option to sign out, when he signs his new contract he can only ink a four-year deal as opposed to five-year deal. That means that fifth year, which would be $24 million guaranteed, would not be in it.