Orlando Magic CEO: No Dwight Howard Trade to Lakers

The Orlando Magic front-office was in the business of shooting down rumors about Dwight Howard trade possibilities during All-Star Weekend: “The scuttlebutt is that the Magic would send Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson to the Lakers and the Magic would receive Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. A third team, the Toronto Raptors, could be part of the deal or in a separate trade with the Magic, sending point guard José Calderon to Orlando. Magic CEO Alex Martins told the Sentinel the rumor is wrong. The Magic have said all along that they will speak to Howard at some point before or on March 1 to see what he plans to do when he can become a free agent this summer. The Magic then would assess their situation from there. Team officials want to retain Howard long-term, but they have not ruled out a trade if they deem it necessary.”