Stan Van Gundy is no longer in Orlando, so the idea is not out of the question -- although current Magic coach Scott Skiles might want to watch his back for knives.
Falling NBA star Dwight Howard is exploring the possibility of returning to the Magic, the team he helped build - and dismantle - before leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012, according to Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher.
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Despite reports of bad blood between Howard and Rockets star guard James Harden, the big man has indicated his preference to remain in Houston even though he can opt out of his contract after the season.
But if Harden or the Rockets prefer that he leave, Howard is trying to find out his alternatives, and one that he is pursuing is a return to Orlando.
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"He has been seeking out whether the Magic would be open to that through back channels," Bucher said. "The Magic remain mum on whether they would even consider that."
Howard's problem is that there may not be a market for his services, Bucher said, based on a survey of general managers in the league. And that's an indication of Howard's toxicity as teams wouldn't have to give up anything to get him if he opts out.
Once one of the elite centers in the NBA, Howard is averaging a career-low 14.3 points per game, although he is still averaging 12.0 rebounds per game, making him third in the league.
But Howard is suspected of getting Van Gundy fired from Orlando after the 2012 season, only to leave the team later in the offseason to join the Lakers.
He then butted heads with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and opted to sign with the Rockets the next summer. Now, he and Harden could be having issues co-existing.
Seven years ago, Howard took the Magic past the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals and into the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers in six games.
He could be hoping that the Magic remember him for that, rather than running out one of the better coaches in the league before running out on Orlando himself. But if he senses resistance, it may be better if he just punishes the Rockets with his presence for another year so he can collect the $23 million owed to him for 2016-17.
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