Orlando Magic GM NBA’s Toughest Job

Published: 9^th Mar 12 12:48 am

by Sean Rollins
seanrollins

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Douglas Jones-US Presswire

The NBA trade deadline is one week away and the NBA’s toughest job belongs to Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith. With Dwight Howard still undecided about whether or not he actually wants to be traded, Smith is currently in a stall pattern.

In December, Dwight Howard asked the Magic general manager to be traded to the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks. Since that request Howard has been shying away from any questions regarding his future and has continuously made comments which leave the door open to his return. The latest of these comments came during the NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando when he told reporters that he has a tough decision to make.

While Howard may have a tough decision to make, it’s not as tough as the position his general manager is currently in. The Magic are sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference and have a considerably easier schedule through the remainder of the regular season than their closest competitor for that position, Indiana. Their roster is built around their star center and his ability to draw multiple defenders in the paint which opens a roster full of outside shooters. With Howard the Orlando Magic are contenders in the east but without him, they’ll be rebuilding.

That’s where Smith’s job gets tough. Smith has confirmed that he has now heard from all 29 teams in the league about Howard’s situation. It is still unclear how many offers he’s received but every team is interested. However, with Howard still undecided on his future, Smith can’t do anything.

If Howard tells the Magic he wants traded, the team will most likely be disassembled and rebuilt. Earlier this season, the Magic declined to extend starting forward Ryan Anderson’s rookie contract by the deadline which proves that they are waiting on Howard to make any future decisions. If Howard stays then the team, which has most of its key players signed through next year, would most definitely be kept together for a run at a championship.

With just one week until the trade deadline, the future of the Orlando Magic rests on the broad shoulders of Dwight Howard. With no clear signs of a decision by Howard, Magic general manager is not a position anyone envies.

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