AP source: Magic C Dwight Howard formally requests trade
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard shoots free throws after practice in Orlando, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2011) Credit: AP
ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando, putting one of the NBA’s most dominant big men on the block at the start of training camp.
The Magic center has formally requested a trade, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss Magic personnel moves.
A Magic spokesman confirmed earlier Saturday that the team had granted New Jersey, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers permission to talk to Howard’s agent Dan Fegan to discuss possible trades.
The Magic held their second training camp practice Saturday. A text message to Magic general manager Otis Smith was not immediately returned.
Howard is eligible to opt out of his current contract in July 2012.
Howard denied an ESPN report that he met with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and general manager Billy King on Thursday in Miami without the Magic’s permission. It followed reports that Howard planned to request a trade to the Nets.
Fegan said in a statement that any claims of tampering are false. A call to Fegan seeking comment on the trade request was not immediately returned.
Howard was vague in his commitment to Orlando when asked about the reports after the Magic’s first practice Friday.
“Right now we’re in Orlando and we just had practice and that’s what matters,” Howard said. “Nothing else matters beyond today and at this moment.”
Smith has said the Magic would do what’s best for the franchise, no matter what Howard wanted.
“At the end of the day our objective is to win a title and protect this franchise,” Smith said. “We’re gonna do whatever we have to do in order to do that. Our objective is to keep him in a uniform, however, if that’s not the case then we’ll move another direction. But our objective right now is to keep him in uniform.
“That’s not Bob’s job, that’s not Dan’s job, it’s not (chief executive officer) Alex’s (Martins) job. They want to assist me and at the end of the day I have to do what’s in the best interest of the Orlando Magic.”
