The Orlando Magic have ended trade talks involving their All-NBA center Dwight Howard, reports Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Magic had allowed Howard permission to speak to three teams -- the New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and L.A. Lakers -- within the last few days, but apparently hope the team will perform well enough that Howard decides to sign a long-term extension or a new five-year contract next July when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Magic Reportedly End Dwight Howard Trade Talks
If the Magic continue to hold steady on Howard, it's a huge blow to both the Nets and Lakers, the two leading candidates to acquire him. The Nets, who struck out on the top big men on the free agent market, were dangling Brook Lopez and draft picks. The Lakers were expected to make Andrew Bynum available.
The Magic have otherwise been mostly quiet in free agency, retaining Jason Richardson and traded Brandon Bass for Glen Davis.
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