Magic in no rush to deal Howard to Nets

The Orlando Magic say they haven't committed to honoring Dwight Howard's latest trade demand that he be dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

New general manager Rob Hennigan said Monday that Howard told him in a meeting last week that he would like to be traded, but Hennigan said he has not committed to honoring that demand. He said he will keep communication lines open between both the All-Star and his agent.

Howard listed several teams last season that he wanted to be traded to, but on the day of the trading deadline he committed to the Magic for the 2012-13 season. Magic CEO Alex Martins has said previously that the organization will not enter next season with Howard's situation unresolved.

Orlando was looking to sign Howard to a long-term deal. However, the All-Star center made it very clear he still wants out of Orlando.

Hennigan said that having Howard single out one team as a desired destination does complicate any potential trade scenarios, but for now, there is no immediate move for the Magic to make following the sit-down.

Howard told Yahoo! Sports on Monday that he won't sign long term with another team if the Magic decide to trade him to somewhere other than Brooklyn.

"There's only one team on my list and if I don't get traded there, I'll play the season out and explore my free agency after that," Howard said.

■ HAWKS-NETS TRADE - A person familiar with the deal told the AP that Atlanta and Brooklyn agreed to a trade that would send All-Star guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks to the Nets.

The Nets will send guards Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar and DeShawn Stevenson, and forwards Jordan Williams and Johan Petro to the Hawks, along with a draft pick Brooklyn received from Houston. The selection only belongs to the Nets if it is not a lottery pick.

The Hawks also agreed to deal forward Marvin Williams to the Utah Jazz for point guard Devin Harris, according to Utah CEO Greg Miller.

The deals were first reported by ESPN and several other media outlets..

■ CELTICS - Boston president Danny Ainge said he is hoping to keep intact the aging trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who brought the Celtics their first NBA championship in 22 years in 2008.

Pierce is already under contract, and Garnett has reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal that can't be finalized until July 11 - the first day free agents can officially sign.

What's left for Ainge is to convince Allen, a free agent, to stay. The veteran shooting guard, who just had ankle surgery, is reportedly being courted by Miami and Memphis, but the Celtics are in position to offer Allen more money.

■ HORNETS - Anthony Davis has a left ankle sprain that must be evaluated later this week before he can be cleared to practice with the U.S. Olympic team.

Davis, the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, was supposed to depart for U.S. practices that begin Friday in Las Vegas. USA Basketball is scheduled to announce its 12-man Olympic roster on Saturday.

■ THUNDER - Scott Brooks has signed a multiyear extension to return to Oklahoma City as coach.

General manager Sam Presti announced that Brooks agreed to a new contract, less than two weeks after the Thunder lost in five games to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.