Dwight Howard meets with Orlando GMs, still prefers to be traded

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard reiterated to general manager Rob Hennigan and assistant GM Scott Perry that he still wants to be traded as soon as possible.

The meeting lasted two hours as Howard repeated to Hennigan and Perry that he would not sign an extension with the Magic. Howard, according to sources expressed frustration towards the Magic for rejecting trade offers from Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

If Howard is not traded, SI.com reports that Howard’s preferred destination would be Dallas as they have enough cap space to sign him outright.

Sources say the Magic will wait to move Howard until January 15, when all players who signed contracts in the offseason can be traded. The Magic could possibly then go after Nets center Brook Lopez.

The Lakers still remain a trade partner for the Magic.

The Lakers say their position has not changed and would be willing to trade for Howard without assurance he would re-sign with them next season. The Lakers believe once Howard joins the team and sees a championship culture, he will want to stay.

The Lakers however, will not take on Orlando contracts that would put them into the most punitive luxury-tax penalties.