The trade deadline is March 15, and the question that everyone wants to know the answer to is whether Dwight Howard is going to be traded, and to who. The Orlando Magic, who currently have Howard on their team, are not doing well lately. In fact, they have lost all but 2 of their last 7 games. They just barely won against the Wizards to put an end to a four game losing streak on Wednesday, bringing their record to 13-9 so far in the season. This, after an amazing 10-3 start to the season which has been running into trouble.

Howard has been a major reason why the Magic have a positive record so far. He is the type of dominant player who can win games through his drive and skill. But Howard has shown interest in leaving the Magic, and when his contract runs out, they could very well lose him as a free agent. He has the opportunity to opt-out of his contract as soon as the season ends, allowing him to become a free agent on the open market.

The Magic could trade Howard quickly and scoop up some young talent to turn this team into a developing powerhouse. The drama has been hot, and there has been no end to the controversy surrounding the possible trade deals in the works. Howard has flirted with many different teams, playing coy about his intentions.

He has called out his teammates, causing controversy about his loyalty. That’s one thing you should never do in public. You can tell your team mates in private that they need to step it up, but calling them out in public is a low blow to team moral and chemistry. Howard is a hugely competitive player who thrives on victory, media attention and the huge markets that other teams can offer.

One thing is for sure. Howard is a huge part of why the Magic has won games this season. The 26 year old center is a 6 time All-Star who is among the elite of the game today. The Magic have built their team around Howard, and he has proven to be not just the best Magic player. He is the foundation of how the Magic works as a team right now. But can he continue to be the franchise player he needs to be when he resents the team he is on?

It’s all a matter of balance. While the chance is slim, Howard could very well lead this team deep into a playoff run. With teams like the Miami heat and the Chicago Bulls looking dominant so far, it’s a bit of a long shot for the Magic to win a title. What do you think? Should the Magic jettison Howard before he becomes a free agent in order to start the rebuilding process, or should they keep a hold of him for a playoff run?