With NBA trade rumors for 2012 seeming to die down a bit, the talk about where Dwight Howard will end up has yet to cease officially. It probably won't until he is playing for a new team, which could possibly be arranged as of this month. However, with a deal still not done by any stretch of the imagination, a new report looks at the reasons that are continuing this whole fiasco.
The latest Howard trade rumors have focused on a handful of potential suitors, including the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers. It's believed these teams have the best resources to either trade for or sign Dwight Howard. However, there appears to be something going on which is keeping a deal from happening. Is it D-Howard's reluctance, or the Magic management, to get something done?
An article from Bleacher Report speculates that the recent silence may be a sign that something is in the works. Or it could be a sign of "calm before the storm," meaning Howard is stuck in Orlando for 2012-13. The latest article also cites a comment from Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated who says:
"a Dwight Howard note: the Magic, I'm told, are hopeful that they can pull the trigger on a deal by early August (although I certainly couldn't tell you which one it might be)."
One of the biggest holdups in trading Howard was due to the fact the Brooklyn Nets were in a position of power at the bargaining table. The Magic were forced to play hardball because their superstar wanted to play in Brooklyn, and the Nets wanted him there, but knew they had the advantage. Therefore, Orlando played hardball, and a deal was eventually taken away. It's speculated that when Brook Lopez of the Nets is able to be traded in January, a deal could happen then.
Another reason cited for the holdup in moving Howard to a new team were his agent's statement that Howard "fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what trades for him." It makes it tough for a team to want to make a move when a guy's agent is saying something of this nature. Why would they want to be a pit stop before Howard moves on?
What other reasons are holding things up? Well, Orlando may be playing hardball even more, by keeping Howard on board their roster and waiting until January, around the time when trade talks heat up. Also, with the Lakers among the top destinations for Howard, a third team would need to be involved, and they'd have to like the deal as well. Having three teams agree on the particulars can make things a bit tougher.
Maybe the biggest reason holding things back for a Dwight Howard trade deal is his attitude, though. As BR notes that his "public trade demands, flip-flopping positions and insistence upon getting his way in personnel (and perhaps coaching) decisions has to rub a lot of teams the wrong way." It's true, Howard is the top center in the league right now, but that doesn't mean new talent isn't coming in the future. Yes, there are teams that want to add his talents to help win titles, but they also don't want the headaches, baggage, and potential for situations like this current one that come along with it.
Do you think Dwight Howard will begin the 2012-13 season with the Orlando Magic, or another team?
(Image Source: Wikimedia)
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