The NBA Trade Deadline is coming up fast, and the biggest story in the NBA in that time will be whether or not the Magic elect to trade Dwight Howard, or gamble that they will be able to retain him after he becomes a free agent this Summer. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated has sent out a series of tweet this morning that indicated that Howard would be comfortable staying with the Magic after the Trade Deadline.
I'm told Howard prefers going to free agency. Doesn't want a team he is traded to gutted just to get him.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 12, 2012
This kind of flies in the face of the trade request that Howard submitted earlier this year, but it certainly make sense. But the next tweet is even more interesting.
If Howard goes to free agency, throw out the three-team (Dallas, NJ, LAL) list. It's open season for bidding. LeBron, part II.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 12, 2012
Until now most believed that those three teams would be his preferred destinations no matter when they had the option to acquire him. But maybe some other teams will be able to step up their efforts and Howard could land with a team that nobody sees coming. Finally, a little bit of wishful thinking on Howard's part.
Two teams sources say tell SI Howard will have interest in: Clippers and Miami. There are cap issues, but the interest is real.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 12, 2012
I'm not sure how he could fit into the cap room for either of those teams, particularly the Heat, but a boy can dream can't he?
For more news on NBA Trade Rumors leading up to the deadline, keep it to thisStoryStream. For more on the Magic, check out the SB Nation blog Orlando Pinstripe Post.