Dwight Howard Should Re-Sign with Orlando Magic: 8 Reasons Why

The headlines change from minute to minute. Dwight wants to stay, Dwight wants to go.

Clearly he has a lot on his 26-year old plate. He has friends, millionaires and even billionaires buzzing in his ear about how he would be better off playing for their team.  

Now that the Orlando Magic have announced that they will not listen to any trade offers for Dwight Howard despite the big man's trade request, the naysayers believe it is only a matter of time before he is traded. Anyone outside of the Orlando fanbase expects him to leave the dried up little pond for the big city.

It has become vogue for small market players to leave for bigger markets. LeBron, Carmelo...

This may still happen with Dwight, but I'll give you eight reasons why it won't.

Money

The Orlando Magic seem to be set on keeping Dwight, at least until the trade deadline.

If they keep him beyond that and he refuses to sign, they will risk losing him without any compensation.

With the new CBA in place, he stands to lose millions if he signs somewhere else after this season.

The Magic Will Be Better Than Expected

New Jersey went 24-58 last year, the Clippers 32-50 and the Magic 52-30. 

Although the Clippers have significantly upgraded with the addition of Chris Paul, and the Nets may have a full season with Deron Williams, I see both of these teams hovering around the .500 mark at best.

The Magic have not significantly changed their roster other than the upgrade at power forward with Glenn Davis and the cutting of Gilbert Arenas. The loss of Gilbert was addition by subtraction, and the Magic look to win around the same percentage of games as last year.

Who’s to say after a sub .500 year that Deron Williams or Chris Paul won’t sign with the Magic?

He Will Be Inspired

After Glen Davis' first practice with the Magic, Big Baby gave the rookies a homework assignment. Davis advised them to look up the definition of "family" in the dictionary and to make a presentation to the team about the meaning of the word Wednesday.

The Magic have lacked a fiery leader. Dwight's going to make his presence known on the court. Davis will be the vocal leader of the team that Dwight needs.

Undoubtedly Dwight has begun to see the change that has taken place. Every effort will be made to bring in some more talent around him.

Otis Smith has made some horrendous personnel decisions in the past, but Rich DeVos has opened up his checkbook to make a title contender.

Dwight Does Not Want to Be Shaq

There is no doubt that Shaq will be remembered as the most dominant big man during his time in the NBA, but he signed with teams that already had established stars in place.

Kobe has won two championships after Shaq's departure. There will always be controversy over whether it was Kobe or Shaq's team. Clearly it was Kobe's.

Shaq jettisoned to Miami to latch on to the next big star in Dwyane Wade and won another title with him.

Dwight will prove to be a leader, not a follower.

He's Not Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh was supposed to play an integral part in the offensive machine known as the Big Three. Often in games he was the fourth and fifth option on offense.

Bosh went from being "the man" at 24 points and 10 rebounds with the Toronto Raptors, to the forgettable option at 18 points and eight rebounds with the Miami Heat.

With the Raptors he could have been legendary. If the Heat never win a championship, he will be the most forgotten member of the Big Three.

He Is Not LeBron James

LeBron admittedly would have changed the way he left Cleveland.

Granted, Dwight has given the Magic a heads up, but his every move will be scrutinized in New York or LA. He will go from loveable hero in Orlando, to scapegoat as soon as LA or New Jersey/New York goes on a losing steak.

If he's uncomfortable with the Orlando Sentinel reporters now, how will he handle the New York or LA  sports critics?

He's Superman

Orlando is a small pond, but Dwight plays the role of Superman, not Lex Luther.

Dwight does not play the villain role well. He admittedly loves Orlando and wants to win there.

Despite recent rumors and aloof behavior at press conferences, he's still the same kid who wants to put the Cross on Jerry West's NBA silhouette logo.

Orlando Is Dwight's Team

If Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Steve Nash get traded to Orlando, this is Dwight’s team.

Whoever signs there will be following behind him and will not have the same legacy as Dwight when they do win a title.

He Can Make History in Orlando

The Lakers won 10 championships before Shaq and two after his departure.

Orlando has been on the doorstep twice. Whether Dwight wins one or not in Orlando, he will forever be a legend.

If Dwight wins in LA, he'd be one of many. If he doesn't win in LA, he'll be a failure.