Why the Orlando Magic May Regret Not Dealing Dwight Howard at the Trade Deadline

Would the Orlando Magic have been better off moving Dwight Howard at the trade deadline?

At first glance, moving Howard is difficult since the Magic would have a hard time finding equivalent value in any trade proposal. Another issue would be that Howard would most likely have to agree to a contract extension in order for opposing teams to part with their “better” players.

One team that was considered as a possible Howard destination was the Los Angeles Lakers, who would have parted with Andrew Bynum, another up-and-coming big man who would could have given the Magic an interior presence.

After a mini-saga days and hours before the trade deadline during March, Dwight Howard finally agreed to opt-in (after initially not wanting to) hours before the trade deadline, staying in Orlando in the short term.

However, an article in the New York Post reported that the Magic were close to dealing Howard to the Lakers if Howard did not agree to opt-in.

Well if had traded Howard, the Magic would not be facing questions regarding Howard anymore. They could have taken an approach similar to the Denver Nuggets after they traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.

The Magic had to deal with Howard’s contract extension question all season and it had been taking a toll on the team. Players were likely tired of repeatedly being asked about what Dwight was going to do.

A trade of Howard would also have allowed Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy to focus on the team and working in their possible new pieces as per rotation and chemistry requirements.

Instead, things may have gotten worse in Orlando. If more reports of dissension come out, things could continue to get worse, which will hurt the team as it looks to the postseason.