Dwight Howard meets with Magic GM; Insists on being traded – NBA News
Orlando Magic General Manager has faced a 'no' from star centre Dwight Howard for the second time this month.
D-12 met Rob Hennigan a few days ago and and the latter tried to convince him to stay in Orlando and remain the face of a franchise in rebuilding mode. However, for the second time within a month, Howard declined the offer and persisted on his trade wish.
“Meeting between Dwight Howard and Rob Hennigan is over. Howard wouldn't drop his trade demand, per source. Magic's last-ditch effort failed,” tweeted Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.
Hennigan had called Howard around two weeks ago and asked him if he would reconsider his decision and stick with the Magic. The young executive is reported to have reasoned, that whatever differences Howard had, were with the previous management, and with him in charge the situation can be different.
The news comes amid reports that the Orlando Magic may very well be starting the next season with Howard still on the roster, after talks with different teams failed to reach any conclusion.
Having Howard around for when next season commences not only creates an awkward situation in the locker room, but also delays the Magic’s rebuilding plans. Only after Howard leaves can Orlando start thinking of rebuilding the franchise from the ground and adding key players into the mix.
Howard had initially asked to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he wanted to pair up with Deron Williams. However, negotiations between the Magic and Nets failed to reach any end and the Nets went on to re-sign centre Brook Lopez to a four year deal, ending any chances of a Howard trade.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets were the next favourites to land Howard and at one moment, it looked like the Lakers would land Howard with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Houston Rockets acting as the third team which will receive Andrew Bynum. However, talks on that front never materialized as well. Teams negotiating with the Magic have become frustrated over the Magic’s inability to bring clarity to their thought process and decide on what they want.
Tags: