Jeff Van Gundy believes Dwight Howard's decision to opt-in and remain with the Magic was more about having power than loyalty.

Van Gundy's brother Stan is the head coach of the Magic.

“To me, only the most gullible fans would believe that this was about loyalty,” Jeff Van Gundy said.. “I think it was about power and control. … I don’t know what they agreed to, but anybody who doesn’t think senior management and Howard have come to an agreement on either trading players to get people he (Dwight) likes or changing the coach or changing the general manager or changing the marketing of him. … Whatever they agreed to, there’s been an agreement made.

“… What the Magic senior executives are doing right now is unbecoming. The groveling and begging is hard to read and watch. His (Dwight’s) opinion should matter, but the strong organizations stand for something rather than fall for anything.”

According to a report from Peter Vecsey of the New York Post, the Nets offered Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, Mehmet Okur's expiring contract and between two and three No. 1 picks in exchange for Dwight Howard.

Gerald Wallace would not have been included to the Magic as he was during the December trade talks.

The Nets, according to the report, also would not have had to take on the contract of Hedo Turkoglu.

Deron Williams said on Friday that he had no hard feelings toward Dwight Howard for choosing to remain with the Magic for the 12-13 season.

Williams had been hoping to become teammates with Howard, either with the Nets or possibly with the Mavericks.

"He made the decision that he thought was best for him,'' Williams said of Howard. "I can’t be mad about that.''

DeShawn Stevenson said Williams did seem to be bothered by the day's events on the Nets' flight down to Orlando.

"I think 'D-Will' was kind of disappointed,'' Stevenson said of Williams. "He probably said he wasn’t, but I saw it in his face. He was kind of disappointed with that whole ordeal.''

Williams said that unlike Howard, he hasn't struggled with considering his options.

"I’m not (struggling),'' he said. "You know why? Because I said the whole year, 'I’m going to play this year out and see what happens.' So I haven’t flip-flopped and gone back and forth. I'm just the same me. It’s not even close to being the same situation.''

Kevin Garnett and Ryan Anderson are two players that the Nets will pursue this offseason.

Garnett and Anderson will be free agents.

LeBron James was asked on Friday how he felt his 2010 situation in leaving the Cavaliers compared to Dwight Howard's decision this week.

"His situation is totally different from mine," said James. "I fulfilled my contract in Cleveland. I was a free agent."

Dwyane Wade was asked on Friday to elaborate on his "loyalty" tweet on Thursday, which was written shortly after Dwight Howard used the word in his press conference announcing his decision to opt-in with the Magic for 12-13.

"Loyalty means damned if you do, damned if you don’t," said Wade. "New definition of loyalty in the world."

Wade also said that it wasn't targeted at anyone.

The Magic front office held a conference call Wednesday evening with Dwight Howard and Dan Fegan shortly before playing the Spurs and hours after Howard had said he would be willing to sign an early termination option waiver.

Fegan spoke for about 10 minutes, the person said, informing team officials that Howard was not willing to relinquish his ability to become a free agent after the season. When it was Howard's turn, he said very little except offer a plea for Rich DeVos and the Magic brass to "trust" that things would work out.

"Then you're watching the game," a person familiar with the chronology of events said, "and you're thinking, 'Oh my God, this is his last game.'"

From the time Howard boarded the team plane after the game and landing in Orlando, Howard had changed his mind and Otis Smith was informed of it via text message. Smith greeted the plane at the airport at approximately 3:00 AM EST and allowed Howard to sleep on his decision before making it final.

Jamal Crawford is hoping for a trade from the Blazers before the deadline, according to sources.

Crawford's preferred destination is the Magic.

Crawford has been widely mentioned in three-way trade talks where he would be sent to Minnesota.

Dwight Howard has officially signed the waiver on his early termination option.

Howard is contractually locked to the Magic for the 12-13 season.

Howard changed his mind multiple times on Wednesday before eventually telling RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph of his intention to opt-in with the Magic late in the evening.

"Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando," Howard told RealGM. "I just can't leave it behind." 

Howard's preference seemed to change depending on whether he was communicating with the Magic on his own, or with members of his camp. Howard ultimately decided to remain with the franchise that drafted him when he was 18.

"I have gotten some bad advice," Howard said. "I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city. They didn't deserve none of this. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I will do whatever I can to make this right and do what I was put in Orlando to do." 

The Magic are "expecting to get" Dwight Howard to sign his opt-in amendment before the trade deadline, according to two sources. Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, also must sign the waiver.

Howard told RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph of his third change of heart and desire to remain with the Magic through the 12-13 season.

“Good thing he didn’t go to college,” a team official texted about Howard Thursday morning. “He would have never been able to pick a school.”