NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Will Be Subject to Much Offseason Speculation

Dwight Howard may have opted into his contract for the 2012-13 season with the Orlando Magic, but it won’t stop rampant trade speculation as soon as the offseason hits.

Until GM Otis Smith brings in a legitimate supporting cast to surround the superstar center, teams will be gunning to steal the reigning three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

The minute that the NBA offseason begins this summer, Smith’s phone is going to be ringing off the hook with potential suitors trying to convince the Magic that they will not be able to re-sign the big man to a long-term deal and that they should instead move him before trade deadline drama in 2013.

One reason for this is that it’s going to be tough for Orlando to bring in pieces to surround Howard with their current salary cap issues.

Hedo Turkoglu is on the books for $11.4 million with a player option he will definitely accept worth $12.2 million in 2013-14. Ryan Anderson will need to at least be given a qualifying offer of $3.2 million and possibly an extension worth even more.

They also have Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Glen Davis, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Earl Clark locked into deals for next season.

None of these players are worth too much and no team with a superstar is going to flip him for a package of these role players.

Smith has had years to find a suitable sidekick to pair up with Howard, but he has failed to. The fact that he hasn’t been fired for this is mind-boggling.

Unless he somehow figures it out after all this time, the Dwight drama isn’t going away.