The Orlando Magic started the 2011-12 NBA season off in less-than-stellar fashion with an ugly loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. All eyes were on Dwight Howard and his future with this franchise. If this loss is a sign of things to come, general manager Otis Smith needs to start looking for deals now.
According to a report from Josh Robbins in the Orlando Sentinel, Smith does not see the need to rush into making a deal that will move Howard, who is the biggest star the franchise has had since Shaquille O'Neal left in 1996.
General Manager Otis Smith sounded as if he's in no rush to add another big man. Smith feels that the team is in better shape with Davis at the backup center spot than the team was at the end of last season, when Brandon Bass and Anderson served as Howard's backups.
While it is nice to have depth at the center position, when the starter has been so vocal about his desire to leave town and is going to hold the franchise hostage until there is some resolution, it would be in the team's best interest to explore all options.
The New Jersey Nets have been rumored to be the ideal landing spot for Howard, and there were even reports last week that a deal was likely going to be announced between the two teams.
Obviously, the injury to Brook Lopez threw a monkey wrench into any potential deal between the Nets and Magic, but that does not mean that the Magic should stop exploring all of their options.
Even if the Magic don't find a deal that they like right away, they can always wait for Lopez to come back in two months and work out a deal before the trade deadline.
According to Fred Kerber of the New York Post, that could be the Nets plan right now, since the Magic have shown no interest in moving Howard anytime soon.
But maybe not. Assume Lopez misses eight weeks and returns in February, there still would be time to deal. With the trade deadline of March 15, Orlando will not trade Howard until after the All-Star break (Feb. 26). If Orlando lets the drama linger, Howard could come to the Nets as a free agent. It is a case of buyer beware on other trades: Howard might not sign anywhere else long term if he truly wants to join Williams in Brooklyn. So the Nets, in their final season in New Jersey, must tread water until Lopez returns.
No matter what Orlando ends up doing with Howard, the idea that they would break off all trade talks right now just doesn't make sense. This all seems like posturing to me, either until Lopez gets back on the court or another team ups its offer.
It is time for Smith to park his pride and the illusion that Howard is going to re-sign with the Magic, and start shopping the most valuable center in the NBA.
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