Dwight Howard is staying in Orlando.
Wait. Maybe not.
Hang on... he's really sure this time.
Magic fans, players and management have to be pleased that the NBA trade deadline is today at 3pm - no matter what else ends up happening, Howard's endless game of "Should I Stay or Should I Go" will be over.
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Howard informed the team after last night's game in San Antonio that he will waive the early termination option (ETO) in his contract, which would mean he'd postpone free agency until after the 2012-13 season. But the team - leery of Howard's inability to make a final decision - asked him to "sleep on it" and sign the official ETO waiver in the morning.
If he follows through and signs the waiver - no sure thing, even this late in the game - several other teams may be forced to react.
The biggest loser in all this is the Nets. New Jersey's plan was to acquire Howard to play alongside Deron Williams, giving the team a highly competitive roster for their 2012-13 debut in Brooklyn. Howard staying in Orlando hurts the Nets two ways - it means they don't get the all-star center, but it also hurts their chances of re-signing Deron Williams, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
If Howard commits to Orlando through next season, the Nets could respond by trading Williams. A number of teams are reportedly interested - the Lakers (for Andrew Bynum?) and Knicks (Carmelo Anthony?) among them.
Howard's decision could also disrupt the long-term plans of the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Cuban's club has been working to clear salary for a run at both Howard and Williams this summer. They'd almost certainly need to find a taker for Shawn Marion to make that happen.
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