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Latest- Howard now tells Magic he won't commit to team through 2012-13

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Htown's Finest, Mar 14, 2012.

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Htown's Finest Member

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The Dwight Howard debacle reached a new low late Wednesday, when the Orlando center and his agent, Dan Fegan, informed Magic officials that he would not commit to returning next season just hours after he told them that he would.

It was a dramatic about-face that could not have been worse for Howard's already-battered image, setting the stage for a possible exit that would rival LeBron James' exodus from Cleveland when it comes to public relations disasters.

And now that the Magic have been teased and tantalized by the indecisive Howard one final time, the stance that they began the day would appear to be back in play: without any assurances that he'll stay beyond this season, sources had said the team was prepared to trade him before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. Yet if anything has proven true when it comes to the NBA's latest circus of the star, it's that certainties are hard to come by. Sources said Howard's refusal to commit in writing isn't necessarily an indication that he doesn't want to remain with the Magic, and the chance remains that they will, as Howard put it, "roll the dice" and keep him past Thursday.

According to sources, Howard told the Magic earlier in the day that he would be willing to waive the early termination option on his contract that allowed him to become a free agent this summer and play out the final year on his deal (worth $19.5 million). But the Magic told Howard that they would need a waiver of the early termination option in writing to be signed by both him and his agent and issued said documents to him, and then they waited as the afternoon wore on for the paperwork that never came. His change of heart came in a conference call that took place before Orlando played at San Antonio.

Sources close to the situation told SI.com earlier Wednesday that Howard was considering that option but that he was being pressured by his representatives to instead enter free agency. That influence was a point of frustration for the Magic, as Howard would routinely express a willingness to stay only to reverse course after consulting with his agency. It's worth noting that Howard's current agent is not on the books for his current contract and would not be paid on his client unless there is a new deal.

Before the latest development, sources made it clear the Magic were prepared to trade Howard before Thursday's deadline unless he gave a commitment beyond this season. Team officials took great exception to Howard's comments Tuesday night that the Magic needed to "roll the dice" on his future by not trading him, and -- as was first reported by ESPN.com -- the team appeared determined to do a deal unless he offered some assurances in the form of the final year of his deal in 2012-13 (worth $19.5 million).

"[The Magic] can't assume all the risk," one source said early Wednesday. "There's just no way the [Shaquille O'Neal] situation is going to happen all over again. That's the undercurrent here."

While anything could change in this debacle that has overshadowed the Magic's stellar season, sources had said owner Rich DeVos is resigned to the reality that he needs to get something in return for Howard if he won't offer a commitment. DeVos lost O'Neal to the Lakers when he was a free agent in 1996, but the frustration this time around is far greater because of the way in which the Magic have handled Howard.

The financial considerations that drove O'Neal away are a non-factor, as the Magic are prepared to give Howard a five-year, maximum contract. They have tried aggressively to surround him with talent in recent years, as well, and even given him some say in personnel moves. Yet no matter how much Howard wants to have it all -- to finish the season with his surging team while avoiding the gutting of rosters of teams he might wind up on via trade -- the Magic want the commitment that they might be close to getting.

Meanwhile, Nets general manager Billy King is well aware he could risk losing Howard this summer via free agency if he doesn't find a way to land him now. Sources also say the Lakers and even the Knicks are among the teams who have engaged with the Magic in recent days.

Howard has told close friends that he doesn't want to play for the Lakers, but deals have been discussed between the two teams with the shared hope that he would change his stance.

While Golden State's trade for Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut on Tuesday took the Warriors out of the running for Howard in what would have been a "rental" situation, Houston remains willing to trade for Howard without any assurances that he will re-sign.

Chicago has been hopeful that Howard would agree to sign with the Bulls long-term, but a deal on that front remains unlikely unless that changes. As a result, the Magic have to engage in trade talks and will do so until the paperwork is filed.[/URL]
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...oward.magic/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp

#1 Htown's Finest, Mar 14, 2012

goodbug Member

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I am sick of DH. Just man up and make a decision.

Htown's Finest said: ↑

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...oward.magic/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
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#2 goodbug, Mar 14, 2012
Htown's Finest Member

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Clutch please lock if already posted. I know that others have commented on this in another thread, but I felt that this was BIG NEWS that deserved its own thread since this affects many other trades.

#3 Htown's Finest, Mar 14, 2012
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Hi decision not on ESPN, irrelevant.

#4 Jontro, Mar 14, 2012
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Dwight is opposed to going to the Lakers because he knows Kobe will be on his ass, hold him accountable, expect serious play, whereas Dwight just wants to hang out and have fun.

#5 Entropy, Mar 14, 2012
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Entropy said: ↑

Dwight is opposed to going to the Lakers because he knows Kobe will be on his ass, hold him accountable, expect serious play, whereas Dwight just wants to hang out and have fun.
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interesting take..

his reasoning was that he wants to be Alpha dog

#6 HombreDeHierro, Mar 14, 2012
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HombreDeHierro said: ↑

interesting take..

his reasoning was that he wants to be Alpha dog
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If he's gunning for NJ, Deron will be the alpha dog.

#7 Entropy, Mar 14, 2012

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is dwight the new Lerbon except not as big of a douchebag

#8 apollo33, Mar 14, 2012
Htown's Finest Member

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Wow, I have lost so much respect for the guy after this stunt. If you don't want to play in Orlando that is all he had to say in the first place and left it at that, but the merry go round act is making me and probably many others dizzy. This debacle makes Lebum and the decision not look so bad. I'm a laugh my sick butt off if the Nets or whoever he signs with don't even taste the finals.

#9 Htown's Finest, Mar 14, 2012
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"The Indecision."

#10 JoeBarelyCares, Mar 14, 2012

2 people like this.
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Dwight Howard's done nothing wrong. He has mixed emotions about leaving Orlando, which is natural. Its apparent, deep down, he wants to go elsewhere.

#11 durvasa, Mar 14, 2012
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durvasa said: ↑

Dwight Howard's done nothing wrong. He has mixed emotions about leaving Orlando, which is natural. Its apparent, deep down, he wants to go elsewhere.
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The yoyo act today was jerky. Or just stupid. Howard's been around long enough. No excuse for it at all.

But until today, I didn't think he'd done anything wrong either.

#12 A_3PO, Mar 14, 2012
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In other words -- "trade me by tomorrow!"

#13 lalala902102001, Mar 14, 2012

durvasa Member

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A_3PO said: ↑

The yoyo act today was jerky. Or just stupid. Howard's been around long enough. No excuse for it at all.
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He made an impulsive gesture while dining with teammates, which upon reflection afterwards he regretted. It was a mistake, sure, but not something worth beating him up over.

#14 durvasa, Mar 14, 2012
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The media is a b****.

#15 redao, Mar 14, 2012
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Htown's Finest said: ↑

Clutch please lock if already posted. I know that others have commented on this in another thread, but I felt that this was BIG NEWS that deserved its own thread since this affects many other trades.
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Idk about thread worthy.

It might change in 5 minutes.

Who knows.

He is a little girl.

#16 BleedRocketsRed, Mar 14, 2012
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apollo33 said: ↑

is dwight the new Lerbon except not as big of a douchebag
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How their situations went down aren't similar at all.

#17 Shaud, Mar 14, 2012
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I understand his desire to be a free agent and have ultimate control over where he goes, but from a PR standpoint he really should not talk about the process except to have said he's not signing any extensions at the beginning of this season and that's it.

#18 AstroRocket, Mar 14, 2012

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durvasa said: ↑

He made an impulsive gesture while dining with teammates, which upon reflection afterwards he regretted. It was a mistake, sure, but not something worth beating him up over.
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According to some reports those same team-mates said he only made claims about being invested in "this year", and didn't say anything about next year.

#19 Entropy, Mar 14, 2012
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Jeff McDonald: Dwight to Magic: “They took a chance on my when I was 18. I gave them everything for eight years. Take a chance again.” about 12 minutes ago

Jeff McDonald: More defiant Dwight: “If you want to scrutinize me for taking care of Dwight, that’s fine.” about 11 minutes ago

John Denton: Postgame from D12: "They know how I feel. I've expressed that to my teammates and to the ownership. And it's on them now, ya know." 4 minutes ago

#20 BleedRocketsRed, Mar 14, 2012
Last edited: Mar 14, 2012

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