Dwight Howard open to return to Orlando, per report

Like seemingly every other team in the league, the Orlando Magic are going to have cap space this summer.

On what, or if they use any or all of their cap space is unknown. With upwards of $45 million potentially available, the Magic could make a move multiple max level players.

The bigger question is who would want to come to Orlando that would make sense for the team to spend a high dollar amount on?

One player, who could have interest in coming to Orlando is a familiar face.

According to a report from Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher, citing league sources, former Magic big man Dwight Howard would be open to a return to the team four-years after a nasty breakup. In his report, Bucher says Howard's first choice is to remain with the Houston Rockets, but should they choose to go in a different direction, Howard would look at his options, including the Magic.

Now, it should be no surprise that Howard would at least consider the Magic. While they're not close to contending for championships like the Rockets are, he has familiarity with the franchise, which could sway him to entertain the idea of returning.

Of course, Howard having interest and the Magic having mutual interest are two completely different things.

That being said, the Magic would be farfetched to turn back anyone who has interest in joining the team, no matter the previous circumstances. Now, with Howard's injury concerns -- Howard hasn't played in a full season since departing from Orlando, and has been monitored throughout this season -- the Magic not having interest would make sense.

Add in Howard's astronomically high cap number -- the first year of Howard's deal would start at nearly $29 million, with the deal topping out at nearly $36 million by it's final year -- and the chances the Magic would seriously consider signing their former star seem slim.

While those factors could deter any potential deal, adding Howard wouldn't be a horrible move by the Magic.

Howard has seen a decrease in his production from his time in Orlando, but he still has the potential to have a meaningful impact. While not at the same level he was previously, the 12th year big man is still a force on the defensive end, an area the Magic have struggled mightily with this season.

At the end of the day, adding Howard would be a calculated risk for the Magic. With a high cap number, and injury concerns, giving Howard the four-year max could cripple the team down the line. If they could get him to sign a two- or three-year deal with an option, it would be more friendly for the team.

Adding Howard would give the Magic the splash they need to make this season, but there's a lot of questions that need to be asked, and answered, before a deal could get done, which could ultimately end any chance of a return to Orlando for Howard.