Anez Sez: Would You Consider A Nuclear Option? 

By WDBO's Scott Anez

You are Magic G-M Otis Smith.

You have two options in dealing with the Dwight Howard trade saga.

The first is the safer of the two.

Go ahead and meet Dwight's demand before the trade deadline March 15.

It's become painfully obvious that Dwight is hellbent on bolting this godforsaken, podunk, puddly, back woods town.  I realize that I am not gonna get fair market value for the best big in the game, but at least I get something of value, perhaps an Andrew Bynum from the Lakers or maybe even Bynum and Pau Gasol, though I doubt very seriously that the Lakers would surrender both of those guys to land Dwight.

Keep in mind, I can also work out my own deal. 

There's nothing set in stone that I have to grant D-12's wish with a trade to one of these three teams.  Maybe I can work out a nifty three or four team deal involving bottom of the barrel teams--like Washington, Sacramento or New Orleans.  Better yet, let's get Toronto involved and have Superman head north of the border for a few months.  Maybe then he'll appreciate our town?  Sure, it's a bit diabolical, but, then again, if my own deal is better than what the Mavs, Lakers and Nets can offer--I go for it.

Or, what about Otis's second option?  The nuclear option, if you will. 

I warn you in advance--this option is not for the faint of heart.  What if we call Dwight's bluff and keep him here in Orlando all season long?

Sit on him...Wait him out...Let Dwight and his people suffer here in this small, dried up ole pond all season long. 

High risk, low reward....

Or is it?

JJ Redick said the other day that this Magic team is the best team he's been on in Orlando--that includes the 2009 team that faced the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

JJ has really come into his own.  Ryan Anderson is becoming a force at the power forward spot.  Hedo Turkoglu is turning back the clock.  Big Baby, even though he's got a strange affinity for dropping trow on the court, adds a much-needed grittiness to this team.

We are learning that this is a very good team.  It's a club that I believe has a chance to do something special this season, especially if another piece or two is added to the mix.

So, instead of trading Dwight at the deadline, what if I instead make a deal for a missing piece, like a Steve Nash from Phoenix? 

Up until recently, I never really considered the nuclear option because of the high risk factor.

But, the more I watch this team---the more I see the fight it has every single night---the more I think that this can be a special season in Orlando.

So, there are your two options.

1...Trade Dwight before the deadline.  

2...Call his bluff, gamble on greatness and keep him here for the whole season.

Door number one is the much safer choice. 

Choose door number two and you run the risk of losing him for nothing.

However, does Dwight Howard leave Orlando with a ring on his finger? 

No way.