"It appears that the Orlando Magic have decided against trading Dwight Howard for now, because General Manager Otis Smith believes the same offers — and perhaps better ones — still will be available up until the March 15 NBA trade deadline.

And perhaps Howard will decide to remain with the Magic.

On Wednesday, the Magic passed up an offer from the New Jersey Nets that also involved the Portland Trail Blazers. Orlando would have received at least center Brook Lopez from the Nets and swingman Gerald Wallace from the Blazers. In addition to trading Howard, the Magic would have sent away small forward Hedo Turkoglu and point guard Chris Duhon and their large contracts.

"I don't think there's anything on the table that won't be on the table three months from now," Smith told the Orlando Sentinel."