Deadline looms for decision on Dwight Howard’s future

Stay with Magic, or go poof?

The saga that has captivated a handful of NBA cities since December while causing eyes to roll elsewhere will soon be over. Not that it couldn’t crank back up in a few months.

Orlando’s Dwight Howard will either move on to another team by Thursday’s trade deadline or remain with the Magic. Either scenario could entail a summer of uncertainty as teams jockey anew for Howard’s services.

If Howard is traded to a team not named the Lakers, New Jersey Nets or Dallas Mavericks and refuses to sign a long-term contract, he could be back on the market by July. If he stays with the Magic but can’t put aside the differences that triggered his trade demands late last year, he could walk away from the only franchise he has known.

Orlando General Manager Otis Smith told reporters in the past week that six to eight teams were still inquiring about Howard. A few of them risk having Howard for only a couple of months since he is believed to want to play for the Nets, Lakers or Mavericks.

Ultimately, Orlando may decline to trade Howard, clinging to hopes it can convince the big man to stay put. “We have to use as much possible time as we can before making a final decision,” Magic Chief Executive Alex Martins told Yahoo! Sports.

Southern discomfort

Josh Smith reportedly wants out of Atlanta. Nothing new there.

Last season, the veteran forward was fed up with criticism from coaches and media.

This time, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smith is unhappy with the team’s title chances and did not think it did enough to promote him for last month’s All-Star game, leading to the selection of other players.

The Atlanta native who has spent his entire eight-year career with the Hawks is one of the game’s most well-rounded players, averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. The Hawks won’t part with such production easily, if at all, particularly since Smith remains under contract through the end of next season.

Two for the road

It’s only a matter of when, not if, forwards Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw will be leaving their respective teams.

Jackson hasn’t started for Milwaukee since Jan. 17 and hasn’t played since Feb. 19. The official reason he’s sitting out is a hamstring injury, though the forward’s displeasure with his reduced role prompted him to hint he could soon be gone.

Diaw is languishing in Charlotte after losing his starting spot. His agent, Doug Neustadt, reportedly has discussed a buyout with the Bobcats’ front office, and a trade also remains possible even though Diaw insisted his focus was elsewhere.

“We can get this team to be better,” Diaw said, “and right now I’m trying to do that.”

He does realize he plays for the Bobcats, right?

— Ben Bolch