According to Hoopsworld’s Alex Kennedy, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has approached new General Manager Rob Hennigan about possibly being traded to his preferred destination, the Brooklyn Nets.
Howard and Hennigan met in an undisclosed location in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon to discuss Howard’s displeasure with the organization and how the franchise is being run.
“There’s only one team on my list and if I don’t get traded there, I’ll play the season out and explore my free agency after that” – Dwight Howard to Yahoo Sports writer Adrian Wojnarowski
There have also been rumours circulating around the league that Howard has contacted the NBA Player’s Association to take legal action against the Orlando Magic front office. Dwight claims that the Magic “blackmailed” him into waiving his early termination clause. He wants to eliminate his opt-in clause so he can become a free agent this summer rather than waiting out a meaningless year with Orlando.
THOUGHTS
This Dwight Howard “Dwightmare” that is transpiring with the Magic is nothing short of pathetic.
A man who was once one of the more beloved figures in the NBA has now reduced himself to the level of whinny, spoiled brat who will bitch and complain until he gets what he wants.
Perhaps Howard has taken the role of being the most despised player in basketball away from Lebron James.
From the constant flip-flopping and blackmail allegations, to getting his head coach fired and now new reports that he and teammate Jameer Nelson once came to blows during a Magic practice, Howard has completely shattered his once reputable reputation.
It isn’t surprising to hear that Howard wants to join Deron Williams in Brooklyn. He’s made it clear for quite a while now that playing for the Nets is something he’d very much like to do.
It’s just unfortunate for Howard that the Magic hold all the cards in this ordeal. Orlando can ship off Dwight to whichever team they see fit. They don’t need to succumb to his Brooklyn Nets request. If another team on the market (Lakers? Rockets?) presents them with a better deal, they can pull the trigger on a trade.
Why trade him to Brooklyn? What do the Nets have that the Magic would want? Brook Lopez? MarShon Brooks? They’ll have to do better than that. A Nets trade seems all the more unlikely because they don’t have any pieces the Magic would possibly want. Orlando is better off sending Howard to the Lakers or Rockets where they can get “closer” to equal value in return.
If I were running the Orlando Magic, I would send Dwight Howard packing as soon as humanly possible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be to the Nets either. If Howard wants to become a free-agent and head on over to Brooklyn at the end of next year, then that’s fine. The Magic don’t owe him a damn thing. They should treat this dilemma with the care it deserves because if it’s handled incorrectly, it could devastate the franchise for the next 4-5 years.
Dwight Howard needs to go.
The headache needs to end.
Brooklyn? Los Angeles?
ANYWHERE!!!
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports