NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Will Never Get Equal Value for Dwight Howard

When trading a superstar like Dwight Howard in the NBA, it's extremely rare for a team to get what fans would view as "equal value" in a deal.

Although the New York Knicks overpaid for Carmelo Anthony and the Utah Jazz's trade of Deron Williams looks pretty good right about now, the Orlando Magic are in an incredibly precarious position when it comes to Howard.

As we know, this is a season Howard would probably like to forget.

Howard "demanded" a trade before the season began. His agent, Dan Fegan, was granted permission to speak with the New Jersey Nets and several had visions of a team moving to Brooklyn with both D-Will and Howard in the fold.

Not so fast.

Howard, better known these days as "The Human Flip-Flop," reversed his course midseason. And yes, this came from the same guy who had been previously adamant about his desire to leave Orlando.

Back and forth he went. First, he wanted to remain in Orlando. Then, he thought a trade might be in his best interest. Finally, Howard agreed to waive his early termination option, ensuring that he would remain with the Magic through the 2012-13 season.

So it was all good. Howard was all smiles, the Magic faithful were happy and it looked like we were finally about to put the saga behind us.

No less than six weeks later, Howard finds his name in the headlines once again.

Please excuse me if this sounds like a recording, as I think we've all grown tired of discussing the Howard trade scenarios and the conversation has become exhausted.

With Howard sidelined for the season due to a bulging disc in his back, his teammates are preparing to go to battle in the postseason without him.

So, what is Howard doing? While he's rehabbing his back in Los Angeles, Howard won't be traveling with the team.

This is your franchise player, Magic fans.

But it gets even worse.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith (via NBC's ProBasketballTalk) reports that Howard will ask for a trade again this summer.

"

The minute this season is over, according to what I am hearing from his camp, you can expect Dwight Howard to tell Orlando. ‘Get me out of here. I don’t want to be here any longer.’ 

The way he’s been treated, along with the way his teammates have been AWOL on him as far as he’s concerned. You’ve got a problem.

"

You have got to be kidding me.

We need a new nickname for Howard, because "Superman" has never been fitting.

From what has transpired from Stan Van Gundy revealing that Howard asked for him to be fired to this current point in time, there is nothing to suggest the Magic can go about building the team around Howard and expect success.

Why? Howard has no intention of committing long-term to the franchise.

Magic fans were elated when he appeared to be showing a sign commitment and loyalty to the team, but this guy has never been about "winning," despite claiming that is what is most important to him.

What team is trading dollar-for-dollar value for this headache? In all likelihood, Howard will test the free-agent market after the 2012-13 season, so why would any team pay a premium for one season of his services?

Howard's public image isn't the only thing that has suffered this season.

His value on the trade market just isn't what it used to be.

The Lakers aren't offering Andrew Bynum anymore.

Don't tell me that Magic fans would be happy with a package built around Brook Lopez, because that isn't filling the void left by Howard's massive frame in the middle.

This is what happens when you let inmates run the asylum, and Orlando's front office is learning that lesson this year.