With the NBA lockout about to be lifted, teams can now focus on their needs for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.
Whether organizations are searching for an All-Star free agent, looking to waive a player or seeking a trade that can help them towards their goal of winning a championship, the time is now for teams to put their cards on the table and make important business decisions.
With Orlando Magic franchise center Dwight Howard entering the final year of his contract, the Magic have various options to brainstorm before the start of the season.
To trade Dwight Howard
Letting Howard walk away from the team after the upcoming season ends is the last thing the Magic organization will allow. With that in mind, Orlando has an opportunity to work out a trade in which they can deal Howard, and in exchange, receive plenty of talent and future draft picks.
While this scenario isn’t the most popular for Magic fans, it’s an option that the team must strongly consider and not shy away from.
“Losing Dwight Howard will affect the Magic organization tremendously,” said Nick Gelso, owner and radio host of CLNSRadio.com. “Without the big man in the paint, Orlando will lose all chances of winning a championship for years to come.”
While it doesn’t need to be debated that the Magic’s chances of winning a title will lessen with the possible departure of Howard, a few critical aspects, as mentioned briefly above, need to be considered when talking about this option.
Trading Howard will allow the Magic to rebuild for the future. With Howard being arguably the most dominant player in the NBA today, the team will acquire young talent and multiple draft picks in return for the center.
According to ESPN, there is a rumor going around the league is that the New Jersey Nets are preparing to offer the Magic two future first round picks and center Brook Lopez in return for Dwight Howard.
Dealing Howard now can benefit the Magic in the long run, as they can receive a potential All-Star in the 23-year-old Brook Lopez, in addition to two potential stars through the NBA Draft.
Although Magic GM Otis Smith won’t rule out dealing the center this season, holding out until the trade deadline can prove to be a wise tactic, as the Magic can compare all proposed trades and select the most beneficial for their organization.
To not trade Dwight Howard
Keeping Howard for the remainder of the season puts the entire Magic organization in serious jeopardy due to Howard’s opt-out clause in his contract.
Technically speaking, if the Magic were to keep Howard until the end of the season, No. 12 would be in full control to simply opt-out and become an unrestricted free agent for the 2012-2013 offseason.
“I can’t see the Magic letting Howard walk like they let Shaq do years ago,” said UCF junior Chad Indictor. “Once it comes down to the trade deadline, if Howard isn’t already dealt by then, the Magic will be forced to make a deal, whether they like it or not.”
Even though the Magic’s chances of dealing Howard are progressively increasing, they have the option to not trade him at all this season.
If that’s the route that Orlando decides to take, they can make a sign-and-trade during the offseason. A sign-and-trade would consist of the Magic re-signing Howard, then immediately trading him to the team that they land an agreement with.
This is an option that the Magic may go with if they cannot find a trade that best suits them during the upcoming season.
Final Thoughts
While everything listed above is simply speculation for now, the Magic are ultimately delaying the inevitable if they hold onto Howard until this season ends.
Whether Howard teams up with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets or Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks, prepare to see the start of a new dynasty for whichever team Superman lands on.
