Rumor: Dwight Howard prepared to sit out next season?

[Tai]

Jordan Schultz @206Child

A source close to Dwight Howard tells me that Dwight is fully prepared to sit out the entire 2012-13 season in Orlando.

I'm gonna admit upfront I don't know who this guy is, but another sports community said this guy broke the Camby to Knicks story and the Rashard Lewis to Heat story; I have no idea if either is true. I do notice on his profile background that he's talking to RG3, and apparently he's been on a couple NBC channels.

So, that all said, you take this rumor for what it's worth.

Personally, if a source really said this, I believe the true message to the Magic is "You better keep trying your hardest to trade Dwight Howard".

If Dwight really is considering doing this, his PR guys need to be canned (if he has any).

Btw, here's a funny pic:

[esel1000]

Theres words I'd like to use to describe Dwight. Unfortunately they arent allowed on this forum.

All I can say is I guess Lebron must be happy that someone is actually making the decision look good...

[Evantime34]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

[BballTim]

  So what happens if he sits out the year? Does his contract remain in effect the next year, or is he a free agent? Can the Magic fine him (beyond his check) for not playing?

[Lucky17]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

[indeedproceed]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

[Lucky17]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

Yep. Although I still think that's the worst possible return compared to the Lakers' and Rockets' offers.

Heck, if he really does sit out the whole year, it could increase Dallas' chance to put something together.

[Chris]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

My guess is they would take him to arbitration, and try to argue that he still belongs to the Magic.  

I don't think there is any chance this happens though.  Howard gets no benefit from sitting out the year, and it would be disasterous for his endorsements, etc.  This is just a story that was leaked to try and plant the seed, but there is no way it will actually happen.  

[Fafnir]

  So what happens if he sits out the year? Does his contract remain in effect the next year, or is he a free agent? Can the Magic fine him (beyond his check) for not playing?

I believe he would not get a year of service and would the Orlando Magic would still own his rights. Similar to a retired player I guess.

Unless they decided to waive him (which they wouldn't.)

[35Lewis]

There's no way he leaves that money on the table.  His entire reasoning for being traded now is so that his new team can resign him to the max allowable contract with the extra year.  If he goes as a free agent he makes less money so there is no way he forgets the money on the table for this year.

I hate what has happened to sports.  Everyone wants the guarantee of big contracts for long years but then they don't want to honor them.  And all these players were scoffing at the idea of the league implementing a non-guaranteed contract.  Where is the owners guarantee that he isn't going to have a Carmelo or Dwight on his hands?

[Moranis]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

They can't sign and trade him to a team that is in luxury tax range, which Brooklyn will be.

[indeedproceed]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

They can't sign and trade him to a team that is in luxury tax range, which Brooklyn will be.

Really?

So you can't sign Dwight and trade him to the Nets for their package? I've never heard that.

[Lucky17]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

They can't sign and trade him to a team that is in luxury tax range, which Brooklyn will be.

Really?

So you can't sign Dwight and trade him to the Nets for their package? I've never heard that.

Starting in 2013-14, I believe. Could still happen midseason next year.

[Lord of Mikawa]

He should be benched for the whole season. Send a message and trade him before the deadline.

[Fafnir]

If he sits out the entire year he doesn't get  paid but are there any  other negative consequences?

Other than daily updates that there is no news on the situation from Stephen A Smith?

Actually, this is great for Orlando, isn't it? Dwight stays home, they can probably rightfully withhold his salary, and the team gets to tank without pretense.

And still likely sign and trade him for Brook Lopez + pieces and picks.

They can't sign and trade him to a team that is in luxury tax range, which Brooklyn will be.

Yeah and I believe a sign and trade is worth less money than either A) resigning with your current team and B) signing to a team with open max cap space.

So Howard would lose a year's worth of salary and his playing career only to take less money?