We've been down this road before, but here we go again: according to ESPN, sometimes-disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard has demanded a trade to the Brooklyn Nets during a meeting with new Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan Friday. Hennigan was noncommittal, but Yahoo reports the team reached out to teams Saturday and told them that they’ll discuss proposals about moving Howard. So the question is: do the Nets still want Howard, even if he is now "a crazy person"?
Let's parse that crazy thing for a moment: last year, Howard caused a huge drama when he demanded a trade to the Nets, and the trade almost happened, but ultimately it didn't. Howard tried to act mature and play out his contract, but the cracks started show pretty quickly, those cracks became chasms, and the season ended with the Magic getting swept in the first round without Howard.
But in the midst of all this, he still picked up the option for his final year of his contract with Orlando, ensuring that he'd play one more year with the organization. Howard has now reportedly been going around telling people that he feels the Magic "blackmailed" him into signing the "opt-in" clause with sweet whispers of new teammates and championship rings. Howard is so angry right now, sources say he (or his representative) approached the NBA Players Association last week to find out whether he might have a legal complaint against the club.
Mind you, Howard had been told by Magic owner Rich DeVos the day before the NBA trade deadline last year that if he didn't waive his early termination clause, he would be traded. So he had that option, and willingly signed. Howard is undeniably talented and one of the best big men in the league, but is it worth it for the Nets to put together whatever package they can (likely including lots of picks and young talent) to pair him with Deron Williams?
With a new city and a new stadium and the chance to steal the Knicks thunder, probably. The Nets will try whatever they can to get him, though it's unclear if they have enough assets to do so without including a third or fourth team. Heck, it's not even clear if Williams is going to re-sign, or if he'll head to Dallas. At least the Nets have one piece in place: Jordan Farmar ain't going nowhere.
