Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Howard Stays With Orlando

Dwight Howard will be staying in Orlando for at least one more season.

The news doesn't come from a beat writer or an anonymous source, but Howard himself.

My heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando. I just can't leave it behind.

That's what Howard told Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com.

The center will opt-in to the final year of his contract, committing to stay with the Magic through the 2012-2013 NBA Season.

The news follows a day of conflicting reports on what the center was planning to do.

On Wednesday afternoon, news came out that Howard had a meeting with his teammates, in which he told them he wanted to stay in Orlando. Then, reports came out saying the center never said he would remain with the Magic.

Howard said he didn't mean to play with the fans' emotions like this.

I have gotten some bad advice. 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.

Howard told the Magic he would stay with the team at least one more year. He then had a change of heart the before his game with the Spurs on Wednesday night.

Now, he's finally come to a decision and will stay with Orlando for at least the next year and a half.

This has been a very hard time, Howard said. For me, my family and all of us. The fans deserve a better hero and I will make that happen. I love and appreciate my fans and this city.

According to Rudolph, Howard will sign papers to officially ensure his future with the Magic at 12:30 p.m. ET.