After a crazy 48-hours that has seen rumors swirl about the future of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, the team confirmed on Saturday that the cornerstone of the franchise has officially requested a trade.
Adrian Wojnarwoski tweeted Howard asked to be sent to the New Jersey Nets.
Magic GM Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel Howard has made the request twice since Monday. Smith was quick to point out to the paper that the team still wanted to do everything in their power to keep the All-NBA center in Orlando long-term and that his representatives haven't said he definitely will not sign an extension after the season.
Smith also made it clear the Magic will not limit trade talks to the three teams that Howard's agent has permission to speak with: the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
"He can have his list of teams that he would like to go to, and we’ve probably got a few on our list of teams that we would like. But at the end of the day, we want him here and we want him in a Magic uniform for his career. With that said, we’re going to make the best possible deal that we can make if we have to trade him."
Howard has participated in the first two Magic training camp practices on Friday and Saturday.
The Nets were said to have offered center Brook Lopez and two-first round picks to the Magic in return for Howard.