Magic to keep Howard until NBA trade deadline

It appears that the Orlando Magic have decided against trading Dwight Howard for now, because General Manager Otis Smith believes the same offers - and perhaps better ones - still will be available up until the March 15 NBA trade deadline.And perhaps Howard will decide to remain with the Magic. On Wednesday, the Magic passed up an offer from the New Jersey Nets that also involved the Portland Trail Blazers. Orlando would have received at least center Brook Lopez from the Nets and swingman Gerald Wallace from the Blazers. In addition to trading Howard, the Magic would have sent away small forward Hedo Turkoglu and point guard Chris Duhon and their large contracts."I dont think theres anything on the table that wont be on the table three months from now," Smith told the Orlando Sentinel.But Smith also denied multiple reports, citing unnamed sources, that said the Magic have told teams they are ending trade discussions about their All-NBA center."Thats not where we are," Smith said. "What weve basically said is we dont feel like we have to trade him today. Were going to continue to look and explore opportunities. Actually, I dont know if anything changed in my mind."Were still exploring all opportunities. Our first opportunity is to keep him in a Magic uniform."After practice Wednesday, Howard emerged from the teams locker-room area smiling.
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