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As a Celtics fan who still holds out one small, teeny bit of hope that Dwight Howard might possibly decide to check out Boston as a free agent, I want him to stay in Orlando and ride out the rest of the year. As an NBA fan, I believe the best thing for everyone involved at this point is for the Magic to trade him for the best value they can get and move on. Mike Bianchi, respected Orlando beat reporter, agrees.
All-Star Weekend was nice way to forget about it for a while – sort of like two divorcing parents having one last Christmas together. Dwight and the Magic put on a happy face for the kids, but it was all for show. Dwight was a great host, smiling widely, saying all the right things, sitting next to Magic owner Rich DeVos during a timeout, even taking the microphone before the game and thanking the All-Star fans for coming to "my city, my home." The Magic and the NBA had that home – the sparkling, spectacular Amway Center -- decorated beautifully. But now it's time to take down the lights and tell the kids Daddy's leaving. Unless Dwight does an immediate about-face, takes his mother's advice (she reportedly told TNT's courtside reporter Craig Sager she wants him to stay in Orlando) and commits to signing an extension, the Magic must deal him and get something of value.
Not sick of the Dwight Howard saga yet? You will be after the next 2 weeks or so.