The latest twist in the Dwight Howard drama has the Orlando Magic superstar saying he wants to stay with the team ... for now. With the NBA Trade Deadline Thursday at 3 p.m. ET we will find out soon if the Magic feel like rolling the Howard dice and seeing if they can convince him to stay long-term.
"I want to stay and finish the season," Howard said. "I told them I feel we have a great opportunity to win and I told them that I want to be here and I want to bring a championship here. I told them they've got to give me that chance."
That could be one reason why the Magic, third in the Eastern Conference with a 28-15 record, have been trying desperately to add a difference-making player for the stretch run.
Does Howard's statement mean he will definitely stay in Orlando the rest of the season? No. The Magic still have to decide whether they want to risk losing Howard as a free agent this summer and getting nothing in return, or want to go ahead and make a trade and at least get something.
What does all of this mean for the New Jersey Nets? If Howard's long-term desire is to be with the Nets when they move to Brooklyn next season -- as many people believe -- this might be a blessing.
If the Nets can sign Howard as a free agent rather than have to gut their roster of top players like Marshon Brooks and Brook Lopez to acquire him they will be in a much better competitive situation for the 2012-2013 NBA season.
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