Magic sign F-C Howard to contract extension

Jul 12, 2007 - 7:35 PM ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- One day after landing Rashard Lewis, the Orlando Magic locked up Dwight Howard as well.

The Magic signed Howard to a contract extension Thursday, securing the center's long-term future in Orlando.

Terms were not disclosed, but the Orlando Sentinel reported on its web site that Howard agreed to a five-year extension worth approximately $85 million.

"This is a very special day in my life, probably one of the biggest days of my life so far," the 21-year-old Howard said. "It has been a long time to get to this point, but I am glad it is here."

"It is not often that you get to put the centerpiece in your franchise that is going to be in your franchise for a long time," Magic general manager Otis Smith said. "Doing this deal was probably anticipated a year ago - trying to get a big fellow - and we have a big fellow that we want to be part of the Orlando Magic family until he retires from basketball."

The signing came less than 24 hours after the Magic introduced Lewis, who was acquired in a sign-and trade deal with the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Sentinel reported that Lewis agreed to a six-year deal worth an estimated $118 million. It would be the largest contract in franchise history and the fourth-biggest current contract in the NBA.

The Magic then immediately turned their attention to Howard, the top overall draft selection in 2004. Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy admitted that he is looking forward to guiding a team built around Howard and the 27-year-old Lewis.

"When you have a guy like Rashard and Dwight, who can play multiple positions, it allows you to play a lot of different combinations and adapt to almost any situation that comes up in a game," Van Gundy said.

Howard, who often appeared burden by Orlando's lack of offensive depth last season, also was ecstatic at the thought of playing alongside Lewis.

"I am very excited," Howard said. "Rashard is a great player, and I am glad he is on our team. He is going to do a lot of great things for us, and this is another step in the right direction for the Magic.

"My goal is to win a championship, and we just added a great piece to our team that is going to help us get to that level."

Despite averaging 17.6 points per game last season and grabbing more rebounds than any player in the NBA over the last two campaigns, Howard still is only scratching the surface of his limitless potential.

The 265-pound Howard is a fascinating blend of power and agility, as was evidenced by his 29-point, 17-rebound performance against the Detroit Pistons in Game Four of the first round of the playoffs.

Howard, who doesn't turn 22 until next December, also has shown flashes of immaturity and must continue to improve his offensive repertoire in the post.

"Orlando has really seen just a little bit of Dwight Howard," he said. "There are a lot of things that I need to do to get better. I don't really think I have scratched the surface of the things I know I am capable of doing, but each year and each game is an experience for me."

The 6-10 Lewis averaged a career-high 22.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 60 games last season, his ninth in the NBA. The 2005 All-Star was drafted by the Sonics out of high school in 1998 and has increased his scoring average in all but one season.

The Magic went 40-42 last season and earned the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They were swept in four games by the top-seeded Pistons in the first round of the conference playoffs.

Howard knows he also will have to develop as a leader now that he is the face of the franchise.

"I would say to be an even bigger leader than I was last year," he said. "Also, just take responsibility for all my actions. They have put me in a great position, and I am going to do the best I can as an individual to help the Magic grow and especially to help Orlando as a community grow."