Here’s what we do know:
- Chris Mannix of SI reported on Twitter that Dwight Howard’s agent Dan Fegan was given permission by the Orlando Magic to speak with three teams about Dwight Howard, and that the New Jersey Nets were one of those teams.
- Sam Amick, also of SI, cited new Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins, who said that the Magic did not give express permission to Howard or his representatives to speak with anyone.
- Meanwhile, Ric Bucher reports that Magic GM Otis Smith confirmed to ESPN the Magazine that he had given permission to the Nets and Dan Fegan to have discussions about acquiring Dwight Howard.
Never a dull moment.
Fegan later says (via Mannix) that he “most definitely” spoke with teams that he had been granted permission to speak with, and that any allegations of tampering are “undeniably false.” Adrian Wojnarowski confirms Mannix’s report that Orlando has granted permission for three teams to speak with Howard, and Amick confirms that the other two teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
This comes as fantastic news for the Nets, who just this morning faced allegations of an illicit meeting between Mikhail Prokhorov and Billy King with Dwight Howard without permission from the Magic in the hopes of bringing him to New Jersey. Such a meeting would have constituted tampering. No more.
Today has been a perfect 24-hour encapsulation of a Nets offseason: wild speculation, rumors of ridiculous proportions, potential offers for players far above market value, and outside of the rookie signings, not one official transaction.
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
