Dwight Howard wants to stay in Orlando?

I don’t envy the position Orlando Magic fans are in. After enduring a season of “will he or won’t he,” the Magic are gearing up for part two as we head into the summer of Dwight Howard’s final deal. Of course there are difference this time around, Coach Stan Van Gundy is gone (despite a winning record and getting the Magic into the playoffs minus Dwight.) Former Magic GM Otis Smith has gone his separate ways with the franchise as well and Dwight will be returning from back surgery.

Perhaps all those reasons are contributing to reports that Dwight is back in love with Orlando and plans to stay with the franchise.

A source close to Orlando Magic All-Star Dwight Howard said Wednesday that he still loves Orlando and isn’t seeking a trade. In an interview with WESH 2 News sports anchor Larry Ridley, the source said Howard is bothered by the hit his image has taken since this season’s trade rumors and problems with Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy.

The source said Howard is “hurt by all the negativity surrounding him (and) doesn’t understand why he’s blamed for everything that happens inside the (Magic) organization.”

Howard is continuing his rehabilitation in Los Angeles, and the source said he’s waiting to see how the Magic improves.

This is no way to run a business. How can Dwight’s teammates really be locked in on the team when your star is unsure. Loyalty is a tricky situation under the circumstances. The NBA store is certainly encouraging it.

I think “they” know exactly what they’re doing when they have these little “gaffes” more traffic to the site and a few more items sold.