NBA Report: Dwight Howard insisting Magic fire Stan Van Gundy

The Magic will have to fire coach Stan Van Gundy and his staff in order to sign Dwight Howard to a contract extension this summer.

This television report is consistent with a recent report on Hoopsworld that said the Magic may fire Van Gundy to appease Howard, or that Van Gundy may beat the organization to the punch and resign first.

Howard decided not to opt out of his one-year option with the Magic, meaning he’s committed to the Magic for one for more season. But should the team not sign him to a new deal before next year’s trade deadline, it will face the same dilemma it faced this year: trade their star center, or watch him walk as a free agent after the 2012-13 season and get nothing in return.

Talk about letting Van Gundy go has been “amping” up in recent weeks, and chances are that’s exactly that the Magic will do, according to WKMG.

But Magic owner Rich DeVos denies Howard will dictate the decision on Van Gundy’s future with the club.

"He can't make those decisions and choices," DeVos added. "We will make those, but we will let him know what we are making and we want his opinion on what fits and doesn't fit."

Another Magic played added, "(I) do not think Stan leaving is a done deal yet.”