Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard said on Monday that he will definitely be a free agent after next season. But an Orlando Sentinel reporter believes something will happen Tuesday to refute this.
Howard told NBA.com that although he wants to stay in Orlando, he will test free agency when his contract is up following the 2011-2012 NBA season. Howard has made it clear in the past that he wants the Magic to revamp its roster for him to consider staying, but the All-Star finally confirmed that he will not sign an extension with Orlando.
"I want to win a championship," Howard said to NBA.com, "I think the owners have to really know that. That's been my goal and my mission since I've been in the NBA — to win a championship. I don't have side goals or agendas. My main goal is to win a championship."
Howard expressed some frustration towards his current teammates, saying he doesn't think they compete for all 48 minutes.
"Sometimes guys are there whole-heartedly," Howard said, "and then sometimes I've had teammates allow people getting in their ears, and things like that affect the way that they play and approach the game."
On Monday night, following Howard's comments, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel sent out some very interesting remarks via his Twitter account.
"Magic coach Stan Van Gundy will be on our radio show Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.," Bianchi first tweeted.
Then, about an hour later, Bianchi sent out two more tweets.
"Major announcement on Open Mike radio show about something we believe will keep Dwight in Orlando. Tuesday, 8 a.m."
"All I can say about our major announcement on radio tomorrow is we believe it will convince Dwight Howard to STAY."
It is unlikely that Howard ate his words and agreed to an extension. The maximum extension that Howard can currently sign is two years due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Howard would likely wait until the CBA expires on June 30 to reconsider his remarks.
There were rumors floating of a potential Chris Paul-to-Orlando deal last summer, but the teams couldn't work anything out.
It's clear, regardless of what Tuesday's news is, that Orlando must act soon to avoid having Howard follow the path of another former Magic center — Shaquille O'Neal.
