NBA Rumors: Magic Reportedly Ready To Trade Dwight Howard

The marriage between the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard could very well be coming to an end this summer, according to Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com.

Sheridan cites a source that provided him with the latest details regarding how management currently feels about the All-Star center:

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The source said that when Magic team president traveled to Michigan last weekend to speak in person with owner Rich DeVos, the conclusion was reached that not only was it time for Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith to go, but Howard, too.

That means the Magic will be proactive in soliciting deals once next week’s draft lottery results are in, clearing up the lay of the land in terms of which teams can offer the most value in return.

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Let the bidding begin!

Howard is coming off a season that was cut short due to a herniated disk in his lower back, but he is expected to be 100 percent for the 2012-13 season.

With Howard under contract, Orlando is the one with the power, for once. Waiting to see how the draft lottery plays out is a glaring clue that Howard is going to cost you a top draft pick in a loaded class. Does it have to be a top-five pick? Top 10?

The news isn’t exactly shocking. After Van Gundy and Smith were let go, Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that the team was still contemplating moving forward without its former No. 1 pick.

After a full year of assuming Howard would be traded to the Lakers, Mavericks or Nets, now teams in the draft lottery are fair game. Could a team like the Bobcats, Wizards, Kings or Raptors drum up a package that Orlando would find suitable? More importantly, could a team like Toronto ever convince Howard to sign a long-term deal?

It remains to be seen if the coaching search will have an impact on Howard's fate, but you’d have to assume whoever takes over the job would be assured D-12 is either a goner or in it for the long haul. The Magic need to make up their minds internally before signing a coach.

The same could be said about the GM. A day after a report came out that Shaquille O’Neal would be interviewing for the gig, Shaq has told the media he has no plans to take the job. Was he ever a legitimate option, or was Shaq just looking for some publicity? Nobody is quite sure what the organization is thinking right now.

There are a lot of moving parts here, and the organization has to ensure everybody they hire is on the same page in terms of Howard's future. 

There are plenty of questions to be answered after today’s news, and once the draft lottery is settled, the rumors are going to really heat up. 

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