Dwight Howard does not want to return to the Orlando Magic – NBA News
On the day when Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was fired and General Manager Otis Smith agreed to leave the franchise, a source close to Orlando All Star centre Dwight Howard has told SheridanHoops.com that Howard still wants to
move out.
Howard, the All Star centre of the Orlando Magic, who has seen great success with the team including an Eastern Conference championship in 2009, had a falling out with his coach, after the latter openly said in a news conference
that a high ranking official of the team management had told him that Howard had requested the team management to replace him.
Howard came out of the NBA lockout expecting to be traded to the New Jersey Nets, but talks between team managements failed and Howard continued to be a part of the Magic roster. Then, just before mid season trade deadline, Howard
signed on with the Magic for next season as well.
When the news of the firing of Van Gundy became public, everyone thought that Howard had won the power struggle in the Orlando camp and with Van Gundy gone, he would sign an extended contract with Orlando, which would have him
playing for the Magic beyond the 2012-2013 season. But the source has said that Howard desperately wants to be traded from Orlando, as he wants a new start to his career.
Although the Brooklyn Nets remain the top prospect as Howard’s next home, the source also said that he is considering teams such as Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.
Orlando Magic’s team executives will soon meet with Howard, who is recovering from a back surgery in California. They would want him to sign an extended contract, after giving him the power over Coach Van Gundy.
The Nets have been interested in Howard since before the season began, and their chances of landing him would further improve if they land one of the top three spots in this year’s draft. They could then trade the pick for Howard.
Howard’s arrival in Brooklyn would also enable the Nets to resign Deron Williams, who is looking to opt out of his contract and become a restricted free agent. The Dallas Mavericks have their eyes set on Williams and want him to
return to his home town.
“These are the days you dread in this business, but we feel it’s time for new leadership and new voices” said Magic CEO Alex Martins.
The Magic could offer a say in the hiring of the next coach, but would want him to commit long term in return. Micheal Malone, who is the lead assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors, is tipped to be getting the job as the
new Orlando Coach. However, Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan are both without jobs as their teams fired them during the course of the season.
Van Gundy and Howard together formed one of the most successful coach/player combinations, with Van Gundy leading Howard and the Magic to four straight 50 win seasons. They finished 37-29 this season as all the off court drama
affected the team’s performance. They were ousted in the first round of the playoffs in five games by the Indiana Pacers.
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