A few hours after learning that Dwight Howard doesn't want to be traded before the NBA's 3 p.m. deadline Thursday, NBA fans are learning the Magic's center is planning to sign his early-termination waiver to stay in Orlando for next season too. The news initially came from Jarrod N. Rudolph, a columnist from RealGM, and confirmed by ESPN's NBA insider Chris Broussard.
Here's what Williams told RealGM.com:
"Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando," Howard told RealGM. "I just can't leave it behind."
Howard's preference seemed to change depending on whether he was communicating with the Magic on his own, or with members of his camp.
"I have gotten some bad advice," Howard said. "I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city. They didn't deserve none of this. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I will do whatever I can to make this right and do what I was put in Orlando to do."
The news comes after earlier conflicting reports from ESPN's NBA insider Marc Stein, who reported that Howard was refusing to sign the opt-out clause, while Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski said was changing his mind. It seems the latter was the case.
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