Dwight Howard: How Decision To Stay Affects This Summer's Free Agency

Well folks, the Dwight Howard saga is over for now. Howard has signed the waiver of his Early Termination Option and is under contract with the Orlando Magic through the 2012-13 season. 

Suddenly, the free agency landscape this summer looks a whole lot different.

First, the verification of Howard waiving his ETO from Chris Broussard of ESPN:

"

Dwight Howard just texted me that he has signed the waiver of his Early Termination Option

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) March 15, 2012"

I think it is safe to say that Deron Williams will be wined and dined in a big way this summer. His ties to the Dallas Mavericks are well-documented, and the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets want to keep him and have already been reported they likely won't trade him at the deadline.

Now you can add Orlando to the list of suitors who will likely make a big push for him.

Without question, D-Will is now the biggest prize to be had this summer. Players like Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett will get a look from some teams, especially Garnett as a potential consolation prize for teams who were looking to throw big money Howard's way.

But if we're being frank, Howard returning Orlando changed this summer's free agency from a potentially hectic and exciting affair to what will be a rather boring one lacking marquee players. There will be the interesting storylines—will Tim Duncan, whose contract is expiring, retire?—but very few truly interesting players to be had.

So, basically, Howard hijacked the regular season—when all we want to do is watch basketball—with all of this trade talk, and now he is staying put in the offseason, when all we want to do is talk about players possibly moving to other teams.

Damn you, Dwight Howard! I shake a metaphorical fist in your general direction!

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