While head coach Brian Hill's status as coach of the Orlando Magic apparently is hanging in the balance, Dwight Howard's future with the franchise is as firm as ever.

Howard's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said Thursday that Howard will sign a five-year, $80-million plus contract extension with the Magic this July. The contract is for the maximum number of years and maximum amount allowable by the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. It can't be negotiated until July 1 and can't be signed until July 11.

Goodwin said Howard is delighted about the direction of the Magic and he has no worries about Hill's future as coach or Orlando's ability to surround him with a championship-contending team.

"I can say when Dwight chooses to sign an extension it will be for the maximum number of years," Goodwin said. "It certainly won't be the short-term variety. I see no benefit in that for Dwight.

"Dwight would never make demands on a team; he's just not that type of kid. His extension will come down to him and his family's comfort in Orlando. He's definitely not making any demands on the franchise. He feels the team is headed in the right direction and is only going to keep getting better."