Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: End of Trade Talks Create 'Melo Part 2

I think we’ve seen this story before.

The Orlando Magic have decided to shut down trade talks involving Dwight Howard and it has set up one awkward regular season.

Howard has been incredibly vocal about his disdain for the moves that have been made by Orlando, and he wants more input.

It’s no secret that Howard is the best center in the league. He is a shoo-in for 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 60 percent shooting and a humongous effect on opposing field-goal percentage. He has three Defensive Player of the Year awards to prove as much.

That’s why he can hold his team hostage, like Carmelo Anthony last year.

‘Melo is one of the best pure scorers in the league and everybody knows it. He used that leverage to force the Nuggets in to trading him, with only the Knicks as an acceptable destination.

Denver was handcuffed, and it led to one of the most awkward half seasons in the recent history of the league. I was on hand to watch ‘Melo’s first game getting booed by the Mile High City. Some looked around in disbelief, pondering whether they should join in, while the majority were sick of a pampered athlete jogging up and down the floor launching 30-footers with no real purpose and were ready to share their feelings. A superstar in Denver for seven years, this was certainly a first for ‘Melo.

Anthony eventually got what he wanted, and so did the Nuggets after playing the age-old game of chicken perfectly. The Nuggets were able to nab Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and three draft picks in exchange for ‘Melo, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.

That’s a ridiculous haul, and it’s the reason the Knicks didn’t win a single game in the playoffs. Their depth was gone.

The same thing can happen in Orlando. Let’s say the Nets, who desperately need Howard to ensure Deron Williams signs an extension, hit the All-Star break mired in another sub-.500 season with little buzz around the team.

With only a few months to prepare for Brooklyn, you’re telling me the Nets wouldn’t offer up every draft pick for the next five years to make sure they get him? That’s a deal the Magic simply couldn’t turn down.

That also means the Nets will have zero new talent and it would likely to a bad move for Howard in the long run. Is that what he really wants?

Magic G.M Otis Smith has until the All-Star break to make his final pitch to Howard, to remind him that he can get the most years and money from the team and it’s tax free.

If Smith fails and Howard is set on a certain destination, it’s going to be a brutal three months for the Magic franchise.

The Magic faithful booing their biggest and brightest star? It looks like that’s the direction we’re heading in.

Be careful what you wish for, Superman.