Dwight Howard: Magic Have Much to Sort out Before Determining Superstar's Future

The Orlando Magic have finally (and mercifully) escaped from the frying pan that was the 2011-12 NBA season, thanks to a benevolent gentleman's sweep at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

And so, into the fire they go, an organization in disarray, with much to be sorted out before they can come to a final decision regarding that 6'11 thorn in their side, known to most as Dwight Howard.

Step 1: Figure Out Who's Calling the Shots

According to Brian K. Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel, Magic GM Otis Smith is sitting firmly on the fence with regard to whether he'll stay on in that capacity:

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Magic GM Otis Smith sounds 50-50 as to if he will return.

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) May 9, 2012"

Smith has one year remaining on his current contract but has yet to decide what his next move will be.

Of course, it's entirely possible that the decision won't be his own. Smith has come under fire for the personnel choices he's made (i.e. the Vince Carter trade, the Gilbert Arenas trade) since Dwight led Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals. Those moves only helped to precipitate the fiasco that engulfed the team this season, the very same fiasco that Smith struggled to contain and amidst which his hands were seemingly tied.

This in part, by owner Rich DeVos' desire to keep Howard around.

In any case, CEO Alex Martins will have some say, at the very least, in whether or not Smith is calling the shots going forward. He may already have a change in mind, too, per Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM:

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Sources say Orlando Magic have interviewed Adonal Foyle, Director of Player Development, for General Manager position.

— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) May 9, 2012"

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Foyle is believed to be the favorite if a change is made.

— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) May 9, 2012"

By some accounts, Foyle has been calling the shots for some time behind Smith, who's wound up as little more than a scapegoat and a figurehead.

Step 2: Find a Coach (or Keep the One You Have)

Whoever winds up in the unenviable position as the Magic GM will then have to sort out who's going to coach the team from here on out. Stan Van Gundy would seem to be a lame duck after the way things played out between him, Howard and management during the season. However, SVG said after Orlando's loss to Indiana in Game 5 that he'd like to honor the final year on his contract, but that the decision isn't up to him.

That decision maker (Smith? Foyle? Howard? Martins? DeVos?) will have to determine whether Van Gundy is a good fit for the team and, more importantly, whether there's another candidate out there who's better for the job than he is.

Good coaches don't exactly grow on trees, especially ones that win 65.7 percent of their games with a team built around one All-Star and a bunch of three-point gunners. The Magic already have one on staff, but don't seem too keen to keep him.

That is, unless Dwight changes his mind (which he's been prone to do) and realizes that SVG is the best he's going to get in Orlando. It's possible that he pulls a LeBron, that he demands his coach be replaced if he's to so much as consider staying in central Florida for the long haul.

Step 3: Get a Grip on Dwight's Situation

Which brings us to the crux of Orlando's conundrum—what's up with Dwight?

As in, does he want to be in Orlando? Some in the organization seem to think he doesn't:

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Key Magic source: "I don't think Dwight (Howard) wants to be here."

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) May 9, 2012"

If it's true that Howard wants out regardless, then that would seem to give SVG some semblance of security and open up, in earnest, an entirely different discussion.

What do we do with Dwight, and how soon should we do it?

Under normal circumstances, the folks in the front office would reach out to other teams as soon as the offseason officially begins to gauge the market and field offers for Dwight's services.

Problem is, Howard's not healthy. He underwent back surgery last month and likely won't be ready for full contact until late summer, at the earliest.

As great a player as Dwight is, and as rare as quality big men are in today's NBA, no team is going to mortgage its future to acquire a player who's both a flip-flopping head case and has a bad back. They'll want to see that he's healthy and ready to dominate in time for the 2012-13 season.

As will the Magic:

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1 more reason Magic likely won't trade Dwight Howard 'til July: Teams want to see how he looks in workouts after surgery and consult doctors

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) May 9, 2012"

If they're going to trade Dwight, they'll want to make sure that they maximize the value of their most prized asset on the open market.

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Magic would love a superstar in return for Dwight Howard, but they have many needs. They want veteran package and contract relief in deal.

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) May 9, 2012"

It's difficult enough to find equal value for a fit superstar in the NBA, even more so for one with lingering concerns.

And the Magic aren't likely to get what they want for Dwight unless Dwight is still what everyone else wants and expects him to be.

Step 4: ???

So what will the Magic do, then? It's too early to tell.

At this point, though, it would make plenty of sense for Orlando to cut the chord with Dwight before next season if its feasible and if they can get a satisfactory return on their investment. Great players are difficult to come by, but they also come and go.

The Magic can either do what the Denver Nuggets did—trade a superstar (Carmelo Anthony) for a bundle of good-to-very-good players—or follow the path set forth by the Cleveland Cavaliers and, well, themselves—hang onto a superstar (Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James) and risk letting him walk before embarking on a long, slow rebuilding process via the NBA Draft.

Whatever happens, the Magic will have to get the rest of their house in order and wait for Howard's back to heal before they can move forward in earnest.

Follow @J0shMart1n