Dwight Howard is saying all the right things, but the trade deadline isn’t here yet, and rumors are still flying around. Who to believe? It looks like despite everything that’s going on and all the big names thrown around, the Monta Ellis – Andrew Bogut deal will be the biggest this year, just because there aren’t enough good chips to be swapped between teams.

As time goes by, it looks like Dwight Howard is falling in love with the idea of the Orlando Magic being more than just a 4-5 seed in the Eastern conference. They did lose to the Spurs (122-111) tonight, but Howard has said he’s actually willing to waiver the opting out clause in his contract, meaning he’s definitely staying till 2013. True or false, it’s hard to tell. The Nets are still pushing hard to get Howard, but they don’t want to give up Deron Williams, and have nothing valuable to give.

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Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando. I just can’t leave it behind.  have gotten some bad advice. I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city. They didn’t deserve none of this. I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I will do whatever I can to make this right and do what I was put in Orlando to do.

Pau Gasol is the biggest trade-chip the Los Angeles Lakers have, willing to trade him. Problem is, there’s not something that great outside worth trading for. They won’t be getting Deron Williams, probably. Chicago and Houston both would like to get the 2 time NBA champion, but Carlos Boozer and Kyle Lowry and any three-team deals aren’t going to cut it. The Lakers want a superstar for Gasol, but they won’t be getting it.

But the Lakers are also looking for smaller changes. Steve Blake might be heading out, in some three way trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minny need a point guard, and Michael Beasley seems to be the man in favor of leaving. Jamal Crawford isn’t happy in Portland, but nobody is happy with the Blazers right now, especially after getting humiliated against the New York Knicks. So it’ll be Blake to Portland, Beasley to the Lakers and Jamal Crawford to Minnesota.

Look, there are still the Carmelo Anthony rumors flying around. Still rumors about Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith. But those don’t seem to be happening. The Knicks have clearly backed the players in all of this, and Mike D’Antoni didn’t conjure his resignation out of thin air. I’m pretty sure he was, partially, shown the way out. Danny Ainge won’t trade Rondo. I think if there was a better market he would consider it, but his lips are saying ‘ No, No, No.’ Josh Smith wants to be traded, but isn’t going to get angry and demand it or start tanking. The Hawks don’t want to trade him.