Shaquille O’Neal: Dwight Howard should return to Orlando Magic

The noise surrounding a potential Orlando Magic/Dwight Howard reunion continues to grow louder. This time Shaquille O’Neal waded in approving of a reunion.

The signs are all pointing to something. Where there is smoke there is fire.

And all of a sudden the rumor that Dwight Howard wants to return to the Orlando Magic seems to have some billowing smoke coming out of it.

A few weeks after report surfaced Dwight Howard was sending “back channel” feelers toward the Magic to assess their interest in him for free agency, none other than Shaquille O’Neal is putting his weight behind a Howard return to Orlando.

O’Neal tells Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com he thinks it would be good for all parties involved for Howard to return to Orlando:

"“I think it would be good for the city,” O’Neal said Monday of Howard returning to Orlando. “First of all, after the first time he left, letting a big young guy get away, it shouldn’t happen a second time. All the puzzle [pieces] have to fit.“If you have respect for one another, I think you have to delete the word differences ’cause business is always going to be business,” O’Neal said. “The DeVos family [which owns the Magic] I have respect for. It can definitely work, as a general manager and owner we’re not just going to be bringing people back, we’re trying to get to that next level. If that guy can’t get us to the next level, then it don’t make sense.”"

There are a few things at work in these comments from O’Neal.

O’Neal has long been an antagonist and critic for Howard and his style of play. He has always been one harping on him to have a more evolved post game, score more points and become a much more mature leader — often ignoring his impact on the defensive end. There was some frustration too with Howard taking on O’Neal’s Superman moniker and name and even replacing him as Orlando’s top center and leaving for Los Angeles.

That relationship appears to have been mended or perhaps perception did not meet reality when it came to the two.

Howard recently left his agent Dan Fegan and hired O’Neal’s agent Perry Rogers. Howard reportedly sought O’Neal’s advice as he came to that decision. That could mean any number of things, but it certainly means there is some sort of relationship between O’Neal and Howard.

It is not too far-fetched to say O’Neal is doing some sort of marketing for Howard to smooth his way over. And Howard reportedly sending his feelers — or even leaking the information to the press — is certainly some type of free agent marketing ploy.

It does not necessarily mean the Magic will sign Howard or that they are even interested. Just that the idea has gained some currency.

Howard has a player option for this year and can opt out and become a free agent this summer. He would be owed $23.3 million next season if he opted to stay under contract.

With the salary cap increasing, it is unclear exactly what Howard would make. Especially when considering how much Howard has struggled this year.

He is not the same player he was when Orlando traded him in 2012. He is averaging 13.8 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game game. That is the lowest scoring average since his rookie year. He has a 1.7 defensive box plus-minus this year, so he is still a plus defensive player, but his last two years are his worst defensive years since his first few years in the league.

Howard would be no panacea. But there are still reasons to go after a player like Howard — he would undoubtedly be a good defensive presence for the team — and reasons to avoid him. The ball seems clearly in the Magic’s court at this point.

Next: Orlando Magic will not settle in free agency

We know where O’Neal stands. Reconciliation seems like something Howard is seeking.