Nick Anderson, an Orlando Magic legend and now an executive with the team, says Dwight Howard better be careful about who he trusts.

Not only that, but Anderson warns that Howard, the former Magic superstar who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, better watch his bank account.

Anderson claims that Howard never really wanted to leave Orlando, but was was pressured to leave because his manager, cousin and confidante Kevin Samples wanted him to leave.

"In my personal opinion, I spoke to the young man (Dwight) through that whole time and I always told him that I wanted him here (in Orlando) and this was the best place for him," Anderson said during an interview on our Open Mike radio show. "I don't think it was him (Dwight); it was Kevin -- his cousin-slash-manager -- and the people around him. Especially Kevin. ... Kevin is influencing Dwight to do a lot of things he shouldn't do. It's all about Kevin. ... He doesn't have Dwight in his best interests. It's all about him (Kevin); what he can get out of the deal.

"He (Dwight) better watch who he has around him. ... Put it like this: Check your (bank) statements -- each and every one of them. All day, every day."

Samples did not respond to an email request to be interviewed for this blog.

Do you agree with Anderson?

Do you think Dwight got bad advice from those around him and that's why he left Orlando?

Or do you believe, as I do, that he is big boy and a grown man who is ultimately responsible for the decisions that he makes?

 

Email me at mbianchi@tribune.com. Follow me on Twitter @BianchiWrites. And listen to my Open Mike radio show every Monday-Friday from 6-9 a.m. on 740 The Game.