Earlier tonight, Magic owner Rich DeVos sat down for a rare interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Naturally, Dwight Howard and his pending free agency were among the few topics discussed, with DeVos asserting his dedication to keeping the All-Star center in a Magic uniform for the foreseeable future. The 85-year-old owner has told Howard that leaving Orlando would be leaving behind a fan base that truly cares about him.
"You have to move in life, but the loyalty you develop in a community is always remembered. But if you leave, you don't pick it up in the next town," he said. "It's not an add-on, you know, because you lose what you had. Maybe you gain some new [loyalty], but maybe you don't. Maybe the net gain isn't as good you think."
When asked if he would veto any deal to the Los Angeles Lakers due to the bitter parallels Howard shares with Shaquille O'Neal, DeVos said he had no emotion on the decision and that he doesn't talk about where his best player will go because he doesn't want him to leave.
The 26-year-old Howard is averaging 20.9 PPG and a league-leading 15.1 RPG in 25 games so far this season.