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Dwight Howard Rumors: Tuesday

January 31st, 2012 at 8:42pm CST by Luke Adams

There are still more than six weeks until the 2012 trade deadline, but it doesn't appear that the Dwight Howard trade rumors will slow down for a single day until we get resolution. Orlando GM Otis Smith claims he doesn't intend to make any big moves in the near future, but the Magic's play on the court has onlookers thinking D12's days in Orlando are numbered. Yesterday, Howard indicated he wouldn't mind playing with Derrick Rose, and ESPN's Ric Bucher heard Stephen Jackson would be another preferred teammate of Howard's. Here are today's updates:

Despite Howard indicating that he would be open to playing in Chicago, Magic GM Otis Smith told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel that Howard's camp has not told the Magic that he has expanded his list of preferred trade destinations beyond his original three teams: the Nets, Lakers, and Mavericks. Smith added that he does not believe that the Magic have lost bargaining power due to their recent losing streak.
Until Howard definitively says he'd sign an extension with the Bulls, the topic is a non-starter, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Earlier today, Johnson predicted the Mavericks will be the team to land Howard.
After running through potential Howard scenarios, ESPN.com's Larry Coon concludes that Howard probably be won't be wearing a Magic jersey after March 15th, but could be a free agent this summer.
Howard's role of leader in the Magic clubhouse has been lost, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. According to Wojnarowski, everyone is resigned to the inevitable fact that Howard will be gone, sooner or later.
J.J. Redick to Wojnarowski on the elephant in the room: "As long as [Howard]’s here, it will be a distraction because it’s all anybody talks about when they talk about our team. We don’t hear it? Of course we do."
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com says we know how the Howard situation will eventually end, but not how bad it will get before then.
LeBron James and Chris Bosh may have taken flak for fleeing Cleveland and Toronto respectively for South Beach, but at least they played out their contracts without asking to be traded, writes Peter Vescey of the New York Post. Vescey adds that he doesn't think the Bulls should break up their team to make a blockbuster deal for Howard.
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel advises fans at Amway Center to try to forget about the Howard drama for a night and show the Magic some love on Wednesday.

Magic GM: No Plans For Major Moves

January 31st, 2012 at 9:49am CST by Luke Adams

As trade rumors continue to swirl around Dwight Howard, Magic GM Otis Smith insists he doesn't intend to make any major moves, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Having lost its lost four games, Orlando has struggled recently, but Smith says the team's slump doesn't change his plans.

"I think you look at your team as a whole and understand that we have to fight through whatever we have to fight through and you continue to evaluate everything top to bottom," said Smith. "That's what you do. When it's time to make a change, you make a change."

Although Howard has requested a trade and is an incredibly desirable commodity, Smith is hamstrung by a number of the team's other assets. Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson are underperforming and are on expensive multiyear contracts, while recent free agent signings like Jason Richardson, Glen Davis, and Earl Clark can't be moved until March 1st.

I expect the team's front office to stay the course for the next month, hoping for an improvement in the team's performance. It seems highly unlikely the Magic make a move before March 1st, particularly since the All-Star Game takes place in Orlando on February 26th. If the team is still struggling at the start of March though, all bets are off.

Latest On Dwight Howard

January 30th, 2012 at 7:36pm CST by Chuck Myron

Derrick Rose would be open to having Dwight Howard join him in Chicago, as indicated by his comments to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. Here's the latest about the Magic big man who could be on the move:

Howard and Milwaukee's Stephen Jackson have spoken with each other and like the idea of joining Deron Williams on the Nets, said ESPN's Ric Bucher via the Nets are Scorching blog.
The Magic's struggles are putting a damper on any hopes Howard might stick around, writes ESPN's John Hollinger in an Insider post.
Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel says the Magic would be better served dealing Howard right away instead of at the trade deadline.
Pat McManamon of FoxSportsOhio.com believes the drama around Howard's trade demands is affecting the team's play.

Dwight Howard Open To Trade To Bulls

January 30th, 2012 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

While the Bulls didn't earn a spot on his original wishlist of destinations, Dwight Howard indicated last night that he'd be open to being sent to Chicago. Asked about a potential trade to the Bulls, Howard told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, "If I could play with Derrick [Rose] right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen."

Although there had been some speculation that Adidas wouldn't want two of its signature clients in Howard and Rose to play for the same team, the Magic star denied that marketing issues might play a part in keeping him out of Chicago.

"It has nothing to do with Adidas," Howard said. "In fact, Adidas would love that because me and Derrick have the same guy."

Howard, who requested a trade earlier this winter, reportedly provided Magic GM Otis Smith with a list of preferred destinations that included the Mavericks, Lakers, and Nets. There have been conflicting reports on whether the list has grown since then, but for his part, Howard has seemed receptive to listening on any inquiries. Last week, he praised the Celtics, saying he'd "always listen" if a team like Boston came calling.