Dwight Howard Will Finish His Season With The Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic haven't escaped the new-deal woods yet, but the superstar center has told his team he'll finish out the season currently on their plate.

The Magic had until Thursday afternoon's NBA trade deadline to meet the all-star's swap request, but ESPN.com reports this morning that Howard told ownership and management Tuesday that he'll ride out this season's remainder with the Magic before reconsidering his free-agency options.

That's been what he's been discussing with Magic owner Rich DeVos and other executives this last two weeks, along with teams to whom he'd prefer the Magic send him. Most recently, those locales included rumored swaps with the New Jersey Nets and a possible deal with the Golden State Warriors for guard Monta Ellis. The Ellis deal was more than likely killed when the Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks agreed in principle late Tuesday to ship out Ellis in exchange for injured center Andrew Bogut and returning former Warrior Stephen Jackson.

"We've been talking, like I said, for a while," Howard said Tuesday night after his 24 points, 25 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 47 minutes lifted Orlando past conference rivals the Miami Heat 104-98 in overtime at home. "I told them I want to finish this season out and give our team, give our fans some hope for the future. But I feel they have to roll the dice. It might be tough, but I feel we've got a great opportuninty. But they've got to roll it."

The Tuesday-night win marked the Magic's third straight. That streak currently includes also victories over top Eastern Conference contenders the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls. When the Magic return home Friday night, it will be against one of the teams whose colors Howard could soon don - the Nets.

ESPN reports that Howard traveled Tuesday night with the team to San Antonio for a matchup with the Spurs.

"I think we're going to hit our peak at the right time and we're going to make a good run," Howard said. "That doesn't matter. This moment is what matters. Like I said, we have a great opportunity. We got a good shot."