Dwight Howard might be closer to getting his wish: a trade from the Orlando Magic to the Brooklyn Nets.
And, in turn, the Magic might be about to embark on a massive rebuilding project.
The Magic and the Nets appear to be building momentum toward a blockbuster deal that would include a third team and would send Howard to Brooklyn and restricted free-agent center Brook Lopez and a slew of draft picks to Orlando.
According to cbssports.com, the Nets on Sunday made progress toward finding a third team to take on unrestricted free agent Kris Humphries and help make the entire transaction work. That team could be the Cleveland Cavaliers.
No trade can be made official until Wednesday, the day the NBA’s moratorium period on player transactions ends.
Magic officials, including new general manager Rob Hennigan, are keeping mum about their talks with other teams.
But it is thought that Howard’s reluctance to sign long term with any franchise other than the Nets has inhibited the Magic’s ability to obtain palatable offers for him.
For days, reports have speculated that the Magic would prefer to acquire Andrew Bynum from the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal for Howard.
But Bynum, like Howard, has just one more season remaining on his current contract, and the Magic would be reluctant to obtain Bynum unless Bynum gives them some assurance that he would want to remain in Orlando beyond 2012-13.
After requesting a trade last December, Howard flip-flopped last season on his future plans.
Ultimately, on March 15, the day of the NBA trade deadline, he waived the early-termination option in his contract. His decision prevented him from becoming a free agent this summer.
Howard’s relationship with the franchise deteriorated in early April when, in response to a direct question, coach Stan Van Gundy said he knew Howard wanted him fired.
Howard initially denied the charge but later acknowledged to ESPN that he had, in the past, asked for Van Gundy to be fired. Still, he was said to be infuriated that no Magic official came to his defense.
The superstar center has not wavered on his desire for a trade in recent weeks.
Hennigan was named the Magic’s GM on June 20.
Any Howard trade would have to be approved by Magic owner Rich DeVos, but all indications are that the entire front office is ready to make a deal. That includes CEO Alex Martins, who did not take Otis Smith’s advice at several points last season when Smith, as general manager, urged that Howard should be traded.
The Magic selected Howard out Southwest Atlanta (Ga.) Christian Academy with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft.
In the eight seasons since, Howard has played in the NBA All-Star Game six times, has been named first-team All-NBA for five consecutive seasons and won the Defensive Player of the Year award an NBA-record three consecutive seasons.
Source: Orlandosentinel.com
