Some believe it could be a distraction if Dwight Howard sticks around and even begins next season with Orlando.

A distraction from what? An epic battle with Washington for third place in the Southeast Division?

The Magic aren't going anywhere next season. They don't even have a coach, and their pool of candidates for the job doesn't include one guy who ever has been an NBA head man.

Forward Ryan Anderson is coming off being named the NBA's Most Improved Player. His reward from Orlando is not to return. Instead, he'll go to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade deal, with Anderson receiving a four-year, $35 million contract and the Magic getting back raw center Gustavo Ayon.

One hopes there's a Lowe's or Home Depot near Magic headquarters. Because they're rebuilding.

With that in mind, why is there any urgency for the Magic to deal their star center? The trade deadline isn't until February.

ESPN.com has reported a proposed four-team deal in which Orlando would ship Howard to Brooklyn, with big man Brook Lopez being the key piece arriving from the Nets. In the process, the Magic would have to give Lopez, a restricted free agent, a maximum contract so he could be included in a sign-and-trade.

Yes, that would be the same Brook Lopez who averaged a microscopic six rebounds (along with 20.4 points) in 35.2 minutes in 2010-11 (he played in just five games last season because of a foot injury, so we'll give him a break on the 3.6 rebounds he averaged then). And, yes, he's a center.

Perhaps Orlando Sentinel writer Brian Schmitz noted it best. Regarding new Magic general manager Rob Hennigan, Schmitz tweeted, "If Hennigan pulls trigger on this deal, he is the Nets' nominee for Executive of the Year.''