NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Latest Expert Updates on Dwight Howard's Indecision

The Dwight Howard saga lives on to see another day, and another NBA season.

With Dwight Howard reportedly deciding to stay in Orlando for one more year, it's time for Orlando Magic fans to rejoice while New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Lakers' fans take time to mourn the loss of what could have been.

In the midst of all the turmoil surrounding Dwight Howard and his ongoing trade demands/talks/requests over the past few months, one thing is clear though, and that is that Howard could have handled the situation much more professionally and much more responsibly than he did. 

It's not just fans, like me, that thought Howard could have and should have handled his situation in Orlando a lot better.  Leading the charge of the "I think D12 handled his trade situation poorly" bandwagon are ESPN's own Stephen A. Smith and Rich Bucher.

Just take a minute and listen to their expert analysis of how Howard handled the past few months in Orlando.

Stephen A. Jackson specifically, has no problem letting his thoughts out, as he goes on to say—"This verifies everything that they [experts] have said about him [Dwight Howard] and being childish as it pertains to him being young, naive, etc."

Rich Bucher also chimes in, and agrees with Stephen A. Smith, by saying—"This move makes absolutely no sense, even if you're going to stay in Orlando, you opt-out and you sign five-year deal like every other guy has done"

I've got to admit, both Smith and Bucher are absolutely right.

While it seems like Howard is making a decision that is in the best interest of the Orlando Magic, it undoubtedly puts them in an interesting position moving forward, as the fate of their All-Star center is still up in the air.

Updated Options for D12 and Orlando Magic Moving Forward

The options are still wide open for Dwight Howard heading into the end of this season, and into next year.

He could still viably request a trade at the end of the 2011-12 season, or he could leave Orlando at the end of next year as a free agent.

Howard's decision to stay in Orlando doesn't really help the Magic out, as they will find themselves, next year, in the same spot they found themselves in throughout the span of this season thus far.

The most realistic option for the Magic, with Howard staying in Orlando for another year, is to try and add elite talent around him at the end of this season by adding a player like Deron Williams or Steve Nash heading into next year.

If the Magic want to keep Dwight Howard in Orlando for his entire NBA career, they absolutely must bring in "franchise" talent to build around him, because if they don't, they will undoubtedly find themselves in the exact same place as they found themselves this year.

No one really knows what's going to happen with Dwight Howard over the span of the next year, but one thing is for sure—the soap opera known as D12 has been renewed for one more season, which means the drama isn't done in Orlando.

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