Magic reportedly interested in Monta Ellis, want to keep Dwight Howard

After all the trade chatter centering on Dwight Howard this season, the Magic for now appear dedicated to keeping its superstar center in Orlando for the long term. The Magic reportedly reached out to the Warriors regarding a trade involving Monta Ellis. According to Chris Broussard’s report, the Magic hope acquiring Ellis is enough to entice Howard to sign an extension with the team after the season. Howard reportedly has told the Magic front office in the past that Ellis is one player he’d like to play with.

The Warriors have no problem sending their dazzling shooting guard to Orlando. The only problem is that they want Howard in return, as Warriors beat reporter Marcus Thompson confirms. That’s why Broussard says the framework for a deal is nowhere near being in place. Golden State is in dire need of a big man and previous national media reports have named the Warriors as actively trying to work a deal for Howard, even though he’s said he wouldn’t sign an extension with them.

The Magic understand this and, according to Broussard, are trying to find at least one other team to wrangle into the trade to help give the Warriors adequate compensation.

But that the Magic look to be approaching the trade deadline as buyers rather than sellers is telling. They now appear willing to gamble on losing Howard this summer for nothing in return. As for the Warriors, it’s hard to see them trading their franchise player and possible other pieces for anything much less than somebody of Howard’s caliber. Who do the Magic think is running the Warriors, Billy Beane?

Photo credit: Kyle Terada, US Presswire