ORLANDO -- With the NBA trade deadline looming Thursday afternoon, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard said he has informed the team that he wants to stay for the rest of the season.

Howard, who is in the middle of wide-ranging trade speculation, said he has talked with Magic owner Rich DeVos and other front-office executives about his desire to stay for the past two weeks.

But Howard would not commit to signing a long-term contract extension and could opt out of his deal to enter free agency in the summer.

"We've been talking, like I said, for a while," Howard said after leading the Magic to a 104-98 overtime home victory against the Miami Heat. "I told them I want to finish this season out and give our team, give our fans some hope for the future. But I feel they have to roll the dice. It might be tough, but I feel we've got a great opportunity. But they've got to roll it."

It's a gamble the Magic might not be willing to take, considering the franchise lost Shaquille O'Neal in free agency in 1996 without getting any compensation in return. Orlando has re-engaged several teams in serious trade talks in recent days, with the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers remaining among the top potential partners in a deal.