NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Front Office a Mess After Botched Dwight Howard Deal

Yesterday, the Orlando Magic suspended trade talks for Dwight Howard. They did so in spite of the fact that things are no different than they were two days ago. Dwight Howard has not rescinded his trade demands despite some mild overtures to the contrary.

The reality is that Dwight Howard is, at most, going to play one more season in Orlando. 

The Magic front office has been a mess before and it's not getting any better now. From acquiring one of the highest payrolls in the league without acquiring one of the best teams in the league, to drunk-dialing, to now preempting talks to deal their franchise player. 

The Magic are trying to get the best deal possible, and that's understood. They have their franchise player ready to leave. The problem is they may be losing sight of the word "possible." 

They are overrating their bargaining position. Certainly they have some position, but not as much as they are asking for. They want to believe what they are dealing is the future of Howard, but in reality they are just dealing for one year with him. 

For example, if the Nets want Howard and Howard wants the Nets, they will get together, either now, or eight months form now. 

That means that what they are dealing is just the year and certainly that has a value, but not as much as the Magic are placing on it. Are several years of Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace along with three picks worth one year of Howard?

It's almost as if after years of getting jobbed in one trade deal after another they've drawn a line in the sand and said, "This is it! We're not getting ripped off anymore!" In so doing they are demanding more than they can get. 

The Magic need to lower their expectations and accept reality. Teams are willing to give up a lot for Howard, but they aren't going to overpay for someone they know they can get in the offseason.