Will Dwight Howard Be Traded Before The Season Ends?
As the 2011-12 season inches closer, a flurry of deals have seen the league’s top talent take on new zip codes. But one massive name remains somewhere he reportedly doesn’t want to be. Dwight Howard, best known for his monstrous dunks and beaming smile, wants out of Orlando and has made no bones about it. Unfortunately for him, Orlando doesn’t seem interested in shipping their big man before he hits the free agent market in 2012. The problem with that is it may be beginning to show.
After Sunday’s dreadful preseason game that saw Howard post a stat line of 2-of-9 shooting for a measly five points and six rebounds, questions have started to hover about the big man’s tenacity. Sure, it was a preseason game and lousy nights aren’t necessarily an indicator of what’s to come, but watching Howard move around the court delivered the feeling that this is a man who simply is unhappy with his current situation.
And that can cause more harm than good once this jam packed schedule gets rolling on December 25th.
Unlike the New Orleans Hornets, the Magic seem content with having to deal with a Carmelo Anthony type of situation and the media vultures that will circle. Even if Dwight Howard had no ill feelings toward the Magic for not dealing him, whenever he has a bad game these questions are going to come up. Those questions will certainly become a distraction, especially if Orlando gets off to a slow start in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.
The question will likely become how long will it be before Orlando decides to give in and ship him elsewhere for something instead of losing him for nothing in the free agent market?
Realistically, it might be wise for Orlando to roll their sleeves up after 20 games and see which teams are willing to give the most to get Howard. Trying to make a deal now will likely see the Magic get some low ball offers for the most dominant big man in the game today. Teams want Howard; they don’t need Howard…yet. When they do, the calls will come that will include multiple draft picks and perhaps better packages than what they are seeing now.
For now, Orlando has a big dilemma on their hands and with their current roster, it is unlikely that they will be NBA title contenders as the only upgrade has been the addition of Glen “Big Baby” Davis. That’s hardly significant for a team that went 52-30 last season and has teams like the New York Knicks ready to leapfrog them this season.
What would you do? Hold firm or start considering your options for the future?
