Dwight Howard Wants Trade, Gets Silence From Magic ...

Dwight Howard Wants Trade, Gets Silence From Magic ...

Dwight Howard Wants Trade, Gets Silence From Magic GM

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Whether the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard wind up parting ways remains to be seen, and Howard said Sunday that he is experiencing a new silence with Magic general manager Otis Smith.

Howard made a formal request to the Magic last week to be traded. While Howard participated in his third training camp practice Sunday, he said he hasn’t spoken with Smith about where the progress of his request stands.

“He hasn’t said anything to me since then,” Howard said.

Asked if it had been complete silence, he again responded: “He hasn’t said anything to me.”

Howard acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that he had asked for the Magic — the only team he’s played for in seven NBA seasons — to trade him.

And yes, as rumored, the Nets were on Howard’s list, according to the The New York Post.

Smith previously granted New Jersey, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers permission to talk to Howard’s agent, Dan Fegan, about possible deals. The All-Star center is eligible to opt out of his current contract in July 2012.

On Sunday, Howard reiterated a point he made a day earlier, saying he would prefer a situation with the Magic that he said Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki enjoys with the Mavericks: being consulted on personnel moves.

“It’s simple, the best player on the team and the GM have a great relationship,” Howard said. “If you go down the line of teams, every GM has a pretty good relationship with not just the best player, but all the players. If you don’t have a good relationship with the guys you work with, how are you guys gonna get better?

“If there was a good relationship then I wouldn’t tell you guys that we haven’t talked. We should still talk, regardless. No matter what goes on. I’ve been here for seven years and no matter what happens we still should be able to talk.”

Dwight Howard Wants Trade, Gets Silence From Magic ...