NBA Rumors: Orlando Magic Can't Stop Dwight Howard Trade Talks

Dwight Howard is now the biggest trade chip out there for other teams to look at as we move closer to the start of the NBA season, and the Orlando Magic need to keep all of their options open as it pertains to the future of their superstar center. 

On Wednesday, ESPN's Chad Ford and Marc Stein reported that the team was pulling Howard off the market for the time being. The belief from general manager Otis Smith is that the same deals they are getting offered now will be there before the trade deadline in March. 

But now there is increasing speculation that Howard has been taken off the market. In a quote from the Orlando Sentinel, Smith said that he never took Howard off the market, but rather he does not have to move him now. 

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“That’s not where we are,” Smith said. “What we’ve basically said is we don’t feel like we have to trade him today. We’re going to continue to look and explore opportunities. Actually, I don’t know if anything changed in my mind.

“We're still exploring all opportunities. Our first opportunity is to keep him in a Magic uniform.”

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No matter what anyone associated with the Magic front office says or does, reporters are always going to ask about Howard until he is traded or signs an extension. At this point, the former is much more likely to happen than the latter. 

It's not Orlando's fault; Howard did this to himself. If he wanted to be with this team, he would never have made it public knowledge that he wants to go to New Jersey, or anywhere else for that matter. But there is nothing that the team can do to stop it. 

Howard is backing this team into a corner and I would be stunned to see them not deal him well before the March 15 trade deadline. 

Where he eventually goes remains to be seen, though we have heard all the rumors about New Jersey and Los Angeles, but the speculation is going to continue until the day that he is dealt or signs an extension. 

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