If you haven't been able to keep up with the twists and turns of the Dwight Howard saga, you're not alone. An eventful Wednesday ended with Howard telling Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com that he will sign an ETO waiver this morning and remain in Orlando for another season. Howard was apologetic about the "circus" he's caused, and cited "bad advice" he'd received from advisors as one reason for his indecision.
Nothing's official until Howard puts pen to paper though, so until we get definitive pre-deadline resolution on D12's future, we'll track today's updates right here, with the newest items up top:
- There may still be skepticism about Howard's intentions, but the Nets, at least, are convinced he'll waive his ETO. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com (via Twitter), New Jersey is turning the page, and will move on to other deals.
- Sources tell SI.com's Sam Amick that Howard's representatives had been pushing the superstar to hit free agency, which was a source of frustration for the Magic. Howard would "routinely express a willingness" to stay with Orlando, only to reverse course after meeting with his agency, says Amick.
- Howard is expected to sign his ETO waiver at around 12:30 Eastern, says Rudolph (via Twitter).
- Following Howard's latest reversal, the Magic told Dwight to sleep on his decision before signing anything today, reports ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.
- It's highly unlikely that Howard waffles again, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. In the event that does happen, the Magic seem to have a trade they'd do with the Nets, Kyler adds.
- Howard is "definitely not firing" agent Dan Fegan, D12's manager Kevin Samples tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). As long as Fegan is representing Howard, he'll need to sign the ETO paperwork as well.
- Magic officials aren't expected to suspend trade talks involving Howard until they receive the signed ETO paperwork, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. However, Wojnarowski says (via Twitter) the Nets are working on separate trade scenarios to bring in help around Deron Williams, in case Howard does remain in Orlando.
- A league source tells J.A. Adande of ESPN.com that missing the playoffs would cost Howard significant bonuses in his Adidas contract. Adande wonders if the threat of being traded to the 15-29 Nets and potentially losing those bonuses contributed to Howard's change of heart.