Just because Dwight Howard opted in to the final year of his contract, not mention yesterday's firing of Stan Van Gundy - which was triggered by Howard himself - does not mean that the saga surrounding the All-Star center is over. After so much back-and-forth last season regarding his future, it seems that Dwight has finally decided (again) that he wants out, despite the fact that Van Gundy will no longer be prowling the sidelines.

According to a report by Chris Sheridan, Howard wants out prior to the beginning of next season and the Brooklyn Nets still are the top of his wishlist.

From the report :

On the day coach Stan Van Gandy and general manager Otis Smith lost their jobs with the Magic, a source who has spoken with Howard recently said the All-Star center desperately wants to be traded prior to the start of next season. And although the Brooklyn Nets are still considered the frontrunner, “it is not going to be a one-horse race,” the source said, listing the Mavericks, Knicks and — to a lesser degree — the Clippers and Lakers as among the destinations that would appeal to Howard.

When the news first broke Monday that Van Gundy had been fired and Smith had agreed to leave, the knee-jerk reaction was to assume that Howard had won the power struggle, and the Magic would now empower him to have a say in who the new hires would be — provided he agreed to sign a contract extension and commit to the Magic for the long term.

But in fact, the source said, Howard wants out of Orlando more than he ever did before in order to start a new chapter of his career. And it is well-known throughout the league that the Magic do not want to endure another soap opera season like the one they just experienced.

Orlando team executives are expected to meet soon with Howard as he recovers from the back surgery he underwent last month in California. If Howard tells them he wants out, they are expected to try to accomodate him and deal him to the highest bidder.