Dwight Howard says he is still on the trade market – NBA Update
Orlando Magic super star Dwight Howard has revealed there is no definitive direction yet to his future. The centre, one of the most coveted basketball players on the planet, had asked to be transferred from the club earlier, but
had said that he could stay, if the team became competent enough to challenge for the NBA World Championship.
His request has remained as it is.
It was reported in the media a couple of days ago that the Orlando Magic have told teams around the league that Howard is no longer on the market. Dwight has confirmed that he did hold conversations with General Manager Otis Smith,
but refrained from divulging any details.
He maintained that his stance was the same as before and he will see how things shape up in the near future.
"There's no back and forth," Howard said. "It still stands and we know what's going on. I talked to Otis today. What we talked about is gonna stay between me and him."
Howard said his focus, at the moment, was on his current team. The super star centre has time and again hauled the Magic into NBA relevance and said he was geared up to do it again this season.
"Right now me and Otis are gonna continue to try to make this team better," he said. "And I'm gonna do my part on the court. That's the reason I'm here. To get our team better and to make myself a better leader for this team.”
Howard also seemed satisfied with the effort being put in by his colleagues and was confident that everyone was in the right state of mind heading into the new NBA season.
"And we're doing great. Practices are going great, guys are coming in and they're focused — nobody's playing around.”
Dwight has been to an NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic but failed to close the deal with a Championship. He has continued to improve since then but the same cannot be said for his team. Howard was a lone shining light for the
Magic last season, especially in the playoffs.
He put in some herculean performances in the post-season, raking up above 30 points on multiple occasions, but Orlando still bundled out to lowly ranked Atlanta Hawks in the first round. Since then, speculation has been rife that
Howard will no longer continue playing for the Magic. His departure from Orlando indeed looks like a foregone conclusion, waiting to happen sooner or later.
The centre will be a free agent once the 2011-2012 NBA season ends and will surely sign for another franchise then, if he is not moved on this season. Therefore, it is in the interests of Orlando to trade him now and get something
in return rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
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