The Orlando Magic put trade talks for center Dwight Howard on pause Wednesday because the team has not received a compelling enough offer, two people familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.
The Magic have balanced urgency and patience while trying to trade Howard, who wants out, preferably to the Brooklyn Nets, in hopes of receiving valuable assets in return.
The people requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.
The Magic tried to send Howard to the Nets and even tried involving up to two other teams to complete a complicated, multi-player deal early this week. But there were too many snags, including a handful of Nets free agents who had to buy into sign-and-trade deals.
The Magic then had exploratory talks about dealing Howard to the Houston Rockets or Los Angeles Lakers, with Lakers center Andrew Bynum possibly landing in Houston.
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan, who has been in the job just two weeks since being hired from the Oklahoma City Thunder, addressed news reporters Wednesday to announce free-agent signings. However, the news conference turned into a Q&A referendum on Howard's status.
"We haven't ruled out anything," Hennigan told reporters. "We continue to be process driven. ... Again, the mantra is as we're figuring out this plan and process, what's in the best interest for this organization?"
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SOURCE: USA Today
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