Dwight Howard Rumors: Larry King Says Howard OK'd New Jersey Nets Trade, but "Change of Heart" Kept Him with Magic

The Dwightmare ended, temporarily, one week ago Thursday as Dwight Howard agreed, in writing, to forego free agency in 2012 and remain with the Orlando Magic through the 2012/13 season. As a result, the six-time All-Star won't hit free agency until July 1st, 2013. But former talk-show host Larry King added a bit of intrigue to the story in a tweet to his 2.2 million followers late Wednesday.

"You read it here," King said. "Dwight Howard had agreed to be traded to the Nets, but had a last minute change of heart and stayed with the Magic." In subsequent tweets, the veteran newsman declined to reveal his source and said "if Dwight wants to comment, I can't tell Dwight what to say."

The Nets, which are set to move to King's hometown of Brooklyn for the 2012/13 season, were among the teams to which Howard requested a trade during training camp, and a report in Monday's New York Post indicated New Jersey and Orlando had agreed to terms on a Howard trade before Howard made the crucial to waive the Early Termination Option in his contract. At that point, the Magic called the trade off. Had Howard not waived his ETO, he would have been free to leave Orlando as an unrestricted free agent in July.

The NBA's trade deadline was last Thursday. Orlando secured Howard's future for the time being, but made no other moves that day.

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