Dwight Howard has had one foot out the door in Orlando all season, and the fact that he is inclined to remain a member of the Magic until next year doesn’t change that.
Howard has changed his mind regarding his future plans on more than a few occasions this season. The latest, though, has him voiding the Early Termination Option (ETO) clause in his contract and staying in Orlando. For now.
From Jarrod Rudolph of RealGm.com:
After informing the Magic he would opt-in and delay his free agency on Wednesday, Howard changed his mind before playing the Spurs and looked to be on his way out of Orlando.
Both the organization and fans were upset with Howard’s actions as it seemed he was trying to manipulate his way to the New Jersey Nets. In the process, he appeared to have relinquished control of his future to agents and advisers that are believed to be pushing him to a larger market.
Howard, however, finally had enough and decided to set the record straight.
Howard confirmed to RealGM on Wednesday evening that he will waive his early termination option and stay in Orlando for at least the 12-13 season.
The news is huge for the Magic, who have been scrambling for months trying to figure out what to do with their potential flight risk of a superstar. Now, however, the team and their fans can be at ease knowing that Howard will be in Orlando next season.
Or can they?
Howard’s most recent decision hardly changes anything. The Magic are still not championship contenders as constructed, even with him aboard for an extra season.
This time next year, Orlando will not possess any more assets, nor have enough cap space to bring in any premiere talent to pair along with Howard. And after he witnesses another postseason demise, Howard’s feelings toward leaving will surface once again.
Howard has given the Magic more time to convince him to stay, but more time won’t accomplish anything. Deron Williams’ future may be neutralized this summer, but Orlando still has to worry about Howard plotting to team up with Chris Paul, who, now like Howard, will be a free agent in 2013.
Howard’s decision seems great in the interim, but long-term, it only hurts the Magic. It ensures that the media circus covering this soap opera will do anything but cease, and also leaves the entire organization in limbo for at least another year.
And for what?
An attempt to convince Howard to sign an extension that will ultimately prove fruitless.
There will be no blockbuster deal this season or the next that drives Howard to sign his life away to Orlando on the dotted line. There will be no championship ring that puts things in perspective for Howard. And most importantly, there will be no change in the outcome of Howard’s original intentions.
The only thing Howard and the Magic have accomplished here is prolonging the inevitable.
And given the circumstances, for both Howard and Orlando, it’s simply not worth it.
Dan Favale is an avid basketball analyst and firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His work can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
