Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard continues to demand a trade from new general manager Rob Hennigan after both sides met on Wednesday. After weeks of rampant trade rumors, Hennigan reportedly planned to make one final pitch to Howard, trying to persuade him that the new regime in town could create a suitable environment for the franchise center to sign on for the long term. But according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, Hennigan's pitch fell on deaf ears:
Meeting between Dwight Howard and Rob Hennigan is over. Howard wouldn't drop his trade demand, per source. Magic's last-ditch effort failed.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 26, 2012
Howard insisted that he would leave as a free agent next offseason if Hennigan decided to keep him on board for the 2012-13 season. Via Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM:
Sources: Howard informed Hennigan that he has no desire to stay with the Magic and will leave as a free agent if the team decides against
— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) July 26, 2012
This will likely re-ignite the trade speculation and reports, but Hennigan continues to be deliberate and wait for a blockbuster package that will make trading such an impact player even worth considering.
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