National Basketball Association

Report: Dwight Howard wants out

Published Jul. 1, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Heat have ceased to be the hot basketball topic in Florida now that a report has surfaced indicating Dwight Howard once again wants to leave the Orlando Magic.

Howard's preference is a trade to the Brooklyn Nets, according to ESPN. That's the same team that was presumed last season to be in the lead for his services, either through free agency or a trade, before Howard opted in on the final year of his deal with Orlando on March 15. The Magic also are in talks with the Lakers, according to a Yahoo! report.

The Magic confirmed Howard, 26, met with new general manager Rob Hennigan on Friday but did not offer details of the substance of the conversation. The ESPN report said Hennigan was noncommittal when Howard asked to be traded to Brooklyn.

Howard is recovering from season-ending back surgery in April. He averaged 20.6 points and led the NBA with 14.5 rebounds a game last season. He has spent all eight years of his NBA career with the Magic, who drafted him No. 1 overall out of high school in 2004.