Dwight Howard doesn’t want to leave Orlando, but the biggest paper in town may not give him a choice.
At least that’s what the Magic center is claiming on his Twitter account.
“Y does it seem like the writers of Orlando Sentinel are tryna push me out of Orlando with dumb articles,” Howard tweeted late Monday night.
“It’s annoying. Can I enjoy my summer and get ready for next season in Orlando. Pls. Same thing u guys did to Shaq. Smh (shaking my head).”
In that case, the Knicks and Nets may want to consider buying stock in the Sentinel. Both the locals will have an intense interest in the best center in basketball should he truly become available.
The Nets may have more leverage to afford and acquire Howard than the Knicks do, but the Lakers would be the presumed favorites in this chase. Shaquille O’Neal, whom Howard references, complained about the Orlando media talking about money and putting up polls before he left to sign with the Lakers as a free agent in the summer of 1996.
Howard is not a free agent, but is heading into the final year of his contract, and speculation on his future has flowed since the Magic were eliminated in the first round of playoffs by the Hawks.
Howard likely was referencing this article that suggested he at least inform the Magic of his plans, like Carmelo Anthony did with the Nuggets, and like LeBron James didn’t do with the Cavaliers, who went 19-63 this season, their first without him.
That would allow the Magic to trade their superstar and get a legitimate haul of players back to begin the rebuilding process, like the Nuggets did from the Knicks.
Howard has maintained throughout that he loves the city of Orlando, but after situations like James and Anthony created, who could blame the media for being a little dubious. The Sentinel featured Howard’s tweet on its website and defended its articles and columns.
“I’m not blaming the media,” Howard would say in a later tweet. “I’m saying stop with the dumb articles. They don’t make (the) decision of mine. I jus don’t want Orlando fans to believe them. Cuz they don’t know. I love my city.”
