Orlando Magic Send Dwight Howard and Several othe Players to L.A.
Friday, August 10, 2012
By: Mark Simpson

August 10, 2012 | Well, it finally happened. The Orlando Magic confirmed this afternoon what team watchers had long speculated, star center Dwight Howard is leaving Orlando. What is different than expected though, is Howard's destination. Although he expressed a desire to move to Brooklyn, Howard, guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark are being traded to the L.A. Lakers.

 Guard Jason Richardson moves to Philadelphia as does center Andrew Bynum.  Guard/forward Andre Iguodala heads to Denver.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon general manager Rob Hennigan called Howard, “One of the best players in the league.”  Hennigan also said that the organization wished Howard and all the other players traded the “very best in the future.” 

But what do the Magic get out of the four team, 12 player deal?  In return for their trades the Magic acquired guard Aaron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington  from Denver.  Philadelphia players Maurice Harkless who plays forward and Center Nikola Vucevic are joining the Orlando team.  Former Lakers forward Josh McRoberts and guard/ forward Christian Eyenga will also head to the Sunshine state.

Of the trade, Hennigan also said “There’s a lot of raw emotion with a trade of this magnitude.”  But Hennigan expressed a desire to built a sustainable long term vision for the team which has yet to net an NBA championship.