Photos for Headline Surfer / Above / Dwight Howard raises his index finger that he's staying with the Orlando Magic as announced by GM Rob Hennigan in a press conference before Thursday's trade deadline.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Loyalty is a word today's professional athletes rarely practice when it comes to free agency and the allure of playing for a big market team. But not Dwight Howard.
And besides, Howard has $19.1 million reasons to stick around next season.
Howard made his decision just hours before Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. He made no bombes about why he flip-flopped so many times this season, early on citing a desire for a trade to several big-market teams: The Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets.
When grilled by a reporter at a press conference, Howard asked: "Have you made a tough decision in your life? Have you? You didn't take one day? You can answer." The NBA All-Star center added, "It's a tough decision... it's not something that simple... There's decision about your life that is going to be made in one day or in one hour. It takes time."
Dwight Howard, shown here at the Amway Arena, made his decision just hours before Thursday's 3 p.m. traded deadline. He made no bombes about why he flip-flopped so many times this season, early on citing a desire for a trade to several big-market teams: The Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets.
When grilled by a reporter at a press conference, Howard asked: "Have you made a tough decision in your life? Have you? You didn't take one day? You can answer." The NBA All-Star center added, "It's a tough decision... it's not something that simple... There's decision about your life that is going to be made in one day or in one hour. It takes time."
Howard's decision buys time for the Magic to try and sign another superstar player to complement Howard along the lines of New Jersey point guard Deron Williams, who could be lost to the Nets at season's end.
Howard's decision is a compromise of sorts in that he is hesitant to sign a long-term contract unless Magic management can add a player or two to make it worthwhile for Howard to stick around. After next season, Howard will have logged none seasons for Orlando.
At least for now, the Magic won't see a repeat of the Shaquille O'Neal fiasco of 1996 when he left as a free agent and Orlando got nothing in return.