Magic may file tampering charges vs. Nets over Howard meeting

The Orlando Magic are considering filing tampering charges against the Nets regarding Dwight Howard, according to a league source.

With indications growing that Howard would ask for a trade to the Nets this week, sources said the Magic were told that their franchise centerpiece met with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov in Miami on Thursday. A source close to the situation said early Friday that Orlando was also considering filing tampering charges against Houston, but that a Rockets claim will not be pursued due to lack of information. The Rockets, according to a source, were informed that there wouldn't be tampering charges brought against them and were told that they weren't considered.

NBA.com first reported the possibility of Orlando filing tampering charges.

Howard has been expected to push for a trade to the Nets ever since point guard Deron Williams was traded there from Utah last season. Should these charges be proven true, however, the ramifications for the Nets could go well beyond their inability to land the star center.

While a high-ranking NBA source says the Nets have made no offers to Orlando and have had no conversations with Orlando, a source close to Howard said New Jersey is indeed one of the teams with which Howard would agree to be traded to and sign a long term extension.

Meanwhile, there were growing indications that Nene is strongly considering the Nets as his free-agent destination.