Steve Nash Won’t Be Enough to Keep Dwight Howard with Magic

But not if Orlando GM Otis Smith has anything to say about it.

With the March 15 trade deadline looming, the Magic are now forced to make a decision regarding Howard’s future, once and for all.

While Orlando is amongst the top teams in the Eastern Conference, it remains a long shot that Howard will re-sign under the current roster configuration. The Magic are able to come away with victories against some of the league’s lower-level teams, but don’t matchup well with the likes of the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Enter Steve Nash.

As millions watched the All-Star game, Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM reported that the Magic would embark on a pursuit of Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash.

From Twitter:

“Magic Rumor: I was told by multiple sources that Otis Smith will “aggressively” pursue Steve Nash before the trade deadline.”

Is it true? Of course it is. Orlando doesn’t stand a chance of retaining Howard without upgrading the roster, and acquiring Nash does just that.

Is it feasible? Perhaps. The Magic haven’t exactly stockpiled assets, but if a first round pick were to grease hands, Phoenix would become more amenable to fulfilling the financial obligations of any deal.

Is it enough? No. And that’s where Orlando’s plan begins to fall apart.

There are few point guards with as credible a court-vision as Nash. He knows where everyone on the floor is at all times, and brings out the best of anyone who plays beside him (see Jared Dudley). And his ability to maintain his dribble not only prevents excessive turnovers, but renders him a lethal scoring threat.

Here’s the catch: Nash is 38-years-old.

Father Time has not yet caught up with the Canadian prodigy, but there is no doubt he is operating on borrowed time. His stat lines are staggering, his durability is impressive and his hands, feet and eyes have never been quicker. But how much longer with that last?

Adding Nash to the docket makes the Magic instant contenders, this season, and perhaps the next. Beyond that, there is no guarantee.

At 26, Howard is not likely to rest his championship hopes and bigger market dreams on the shoulders of someone who is 12 years his elder. It’s not safe and it’s not sound.

There’s a reason why Howard prefers the New Jersey Nets over any other team, including the Magic and Los Angeles Lakers: Deron Williams.

Williams is only 27, and isn’t liable to taper off anytime. And that’s more Howard’s speed, more so than both Nash, and the 33-year-old Kobe Bryant.

While the Magic, much like the 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers, are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their star, acquiring Nash is simply not enough. His presence makes Orlando a more bearable situation for the time being, but not the foreseeable future.

And in regards to Howard, the future outlook is what matters most.