With the approval by the NBA, Dwight Howard is now no longer a member of the Orlando Magic. The team that drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2004 NBA Draft issued a press release soon after the trade was finalized by the league.
The Magic were key players in a blockbuster, four-team trade on Friday when they dealt Howard and reserves Chris Duhon and Earl Clark to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Magic also sent Jason Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers and in return will receive Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and rookie Moe Harkless, three first-round picks and two second-round selections. The Magic will receive protected first-round picks from Denver (or New York) in 2014, Philadelphia in ‘15 and Los Angeles in ‘17.
John Denton, a writer on the Magic's official website, continued on to quote general manager Rob Hennigan about his feelings towards Howard, which are not that hostile.
Dwight Howard accomplished tremendous success as a member of the Orlando Magic. He enjoyed All-NBA and NBA All-Star status, as well as many off the court opportunities during his eight years in Orlando. We wish him, Chris (Duhon), Earl (Clark) and Jason (Richardson) all the best in the future.
The Orlando Magic now look to the future, hoping that these players that they have acquired can help the Magic to a level of success they experienced when they reached the NBA Finals in 2009. Such success may be a ways off for the Orlando Magic, but hopefully the team will have enough patience to stick things out.
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