Orlando Magic: It Will Take a Superstar To Keep Superman
As the Carmelo Anthony trade saga finally came to an end with Melo being dealt to the Knicks, the talk now seems to linger around the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard. Howard could find himself in a similar situation as Anthony was in for the past six months.
Dwight Howard has said that all he wants is to win a championship. Well he has done everything this year in his power to keep the Magic in contention, but it appears the Magic are a step behind the Celtics, Heat and Bulls in the East.
Otis Smith made big roster changes earlier in the year, with hopes to get the Magic back to the top of the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, those moves are not looking like the answer, especially with Gilbert Arenas playing at such a low level.
If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Magic would be the fourth seed, matching them up with the Atlanta Hawks. Orlando swept the Hawks in last years playoffs, and I would pick them to win that series again. The Magic most likely face the Celtics in the second round and would be the clear underdog in that series. If the Magic did get knocked out in the second round, that would mean they have regressed each year since their finals appearance in 2009. This would have to weigh heavy on Howard, who wants a championship plain and simple.
How do the Magic get Howard to stay?
Bring in another Superstar.
The Magic must do all they can to get Howard a wing man. They have great trade pieces with one of the deepest teams in the league and should be able to work out a deal with another team.
The most commonly discussed names to join the Magic are Derron Williams and Chris Paul. Although Derron Williams was just traded to New Jersey before the trade deadline he is yet to sign an extension and I find it hard to believe he will re-sign with the Nets who are far from being a championship contender. Chris Paul has spent his entire career on a struggling Hornets team and it appeared that he was on his way to Orlando this pas off-season but the deal never went through but I believe the Magic will push hard for Paul's services again this off-season.
If the Magic can get one of these players to come to Orlando, not only would Howard re-sign with the Magic, but it would shoot Orlando right back up to being an elite team in the East.
Howard would have to help recruit Paul or Williams to join the Magic, much like Wade did last season in Miami. This should not be too hard a task for Howard, what great point guard would not want to throw ally-oops to Superman all year?
If you look at the career best 23 points per game and nearly 14 rebounds Howard has put up this year, it's scary to imagine what he might be able to do with one of the best point guards in the world playing beside him. It is equally as scary for Magic fans to think what their team would become without the heroics of Superman.
Make it happen Otis. What a shame it would be to see that 400 million dollar arena with empty seats every night.
