NBA Trade Rumors: Magic End Dwight Howard Talks Bringing Calm to Preseason Storm

Wild became insane which turned into utter mania. Finally, the NBA waters are at peace and it's all thanks to the Orlando Magic. 

Earlier this week, the Magic ended the charade that was the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. You can look, but you can't touch. The best center in the league will continue to play for the Magic, at least for now. 

Nothing has changed on Howard's end though. Yahoo! Sports reports Howard's request to be traded is very much still alive. The report quotes a Howard that has come to terms with his station in life. It is now or never time in Orlando.

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There’s no back and forth. It still stands and we know what’s going on. I talked to Otis (Smith) today. What we talked about is gonna stay between me and him.

Right now me and Otis are gonna continue to try to make this team better. And I’m gonna do my part on the court. That’s the reason I’m here...And we’re doing great. Practices are going great, guys are coming in and they’re focused—nobody’s playing around. 

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The best thing the Magic could have done besides bringing in an ridiculous amount of talent for an outgoing Howard would be to put a lid on the trade banter. 

This may be a gamble, but it may be the best way to keep Howard in Orlando, exactly what has been the plan all along. If the Magic can get out to a strong start and possibly pull off a major coup and make this team stronger with another trade, Howard would be forced to stay. Lest he be LeBron James II. 

The danger is if the Magic struggle. That would give Orlando little to no leverage as teams would have confidence that Howard would never re-sign with a losing ball club. 

So for now, the trade waters are calm. The rumors have died down significantly as all teams make due with their squads as they sit now. That goes for the Orlando Magic who are picking the lesser of two evils. 

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