NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Reports and Speculation Surrounding Dwight Howard Drama
There is no bigger rumor in the NBA right now than the trade talks surrounding Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.
For over a year Howard has been rumored to want out of Orlando, but a lack of quality trade options have forced the Magic to slow-play a possible deal. With Dwight opting-in to his contract last year, he gave the team the power to deal him whenever they want.
Through this situation, Howard has proved that he and the people around him have no idea what they want for the future. This has become an absolute mess.
While Howard and his associates flip-flop some more, it’s time to look at the latest rumors surrounding the All-Star center.
Magic Keeping Howard?
With reports circulating that the Magic are going to facilitate Howard’s trade request, a new report has surfaced talking about the franchise’s willingness to hold onto the star.
ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting about the Magic’s stance on trading their center:
"The Orlando Magic have told rival executives that they might not trade Dwight Howard after all, according to league sources…An executive who has had discussions with the Magic regarding Howard said Orlando only will trade the star center in a deal that is great for the franchise. The executive said this has been Orlando's stance for the past "week or so."
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The Magic are just trying to get the most out of this deal. If that means they have to start the season with Howard on their roster, as long as it gets the team the best possible deal in return, it will be worth it.
Orlando has a future to think about, and there is nothing wrong with trading Howard when they are comfortable with the return. The Magic don’t owe Dwight anything after the mess he has caused.
They won't keep Howard.
Orlando’s Trade Deadline
While the reports of the Magic not trading Howard could be just a ploy to get the teams chasing him to become desperate, the self-imposed trade deadline could lend more credibility to the team’s talk of starting the season with Howard on their team.
Sports Illustrated columnist Sam Amick is reporting about the Magic’s deadline for a Howard deal:
"The Magic, I'm told, are hopeful that they can pull the trigger on a deal by early August (although I certainly couldn't tell you which one it might be). That being said, new GM Rob Hennigan - who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time in Vegas - is proving to be very prudent in this process, meaning those hopes won't be realized if the deal simply isn't up to his standards.
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This is exactly what I was talking about above in the Chris Broussard report with the Magic trying to get the best return they can. With Howard opting into his deal with Orlando last season, he gave the franchise the right to handle this situation any way they please.
Howard should have thought about this before he signed on the dotted line.
Throughout the Dwight Howard saga, two main teams have stayed at the forefront of the acquisition process; The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
There are negotiations ongoing between these teams and the Magic, but reports say the teams are getting farther apart. While these teams have serious interest in Orlando’s star, ESPN is reporting that GMs negotiating to get a deal done get the feeling that the Magic aren’t rushing into anything:
"The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets both covet Howard, but each team has come away from trade discussions thinking the Magic -- at least for now -- are not interested in trading the six-time All-Star, according to sources.
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Orlando owes it to both themselves and the fans who pay to see the team to get the most in the impending Howard deal. If that means waiting as long as they have to—no matter how uncomfortable it gets for everyone—they must do what’s best for the organization.
What a mess!
Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.
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