NBA Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard Must Keep Pressing for a Trade

While it's nice that none of us have to worry about Chris Paul anymore, there is still some unfinished business on the NBA trading block.

Quite a lot of it, actually. This particular bit of business stands nearly seven feet tall and weighs close to 270 pounds, and indications are that it's a little ticked off to still be in Central Florida.

We're talking about Dwight Howard, of course. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported on Wednesday that the Orlando Magic had decided to call off all trade talks for Howard, and that they planned to start the season with their star center in their lineup.

On Thursday, Howard made it clear that he still wants to be traded, as the Associated Press reported that he hasn't yet withdrawn his trade request.

But at the same time, Howard insists that everything at Magic camp is hunky dory.

"

And we're doing great. Practices are going great, guys are coming in and they're focused—nobody's playing around. We're having fun, but at the same time we're getting the job done...There's no need to talk about trades or what's on ESPN or in the newspaper. There's no need to bring it on the court.

"

Well, if he says so. He doesn't want to be there, but I guess it's cool that he's having a good time.

But the more he talks like this, the more Orlando's ownership is going to believe that the team actually has a shot of re-signing him long-term.

And that's not going to happen, of course. If Howard survives the March 15 trade deadline with the Magic, the clock will start ticking down to the moment he opts out of his contract once the season is over. At that point he will leave for greener pastures and never return, leaving the Magic empty-handed.

Howard could decide that this eventuality is good enough, but he's better off making sure the Magic know without a doubt that he wants to be traded. Keeping his trade request on the table is a good start, but he needs to stop breathing life into the notion that he'll stay in Orlando forever.

If he really, and I mean really, wants to leave Orlando then he can't send mixed messages, which is something he's been doing for quite a while now. I hate to use the old "draw a line in the sand" line, but that's what Howard needs to do.

Shoot, the Magic have already drawn their line by ending trade talks. The intended message was sent, but the Magic sent another message that said, "You see, Dwight, we'd really prefer to keep you."

To which Howard should reply "Thanks, but no thanks. Get me out of here."

Over and over again.