Dwight Howard thanks Orlando fans

Dwight Howard thanked Orlando Magic fans in a letter sent to the Orlando Sentinel on Monday, weeks after requesting a trade out of Orlando which resulted in a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the letter Howard wrote:

To play the game of basketball in the NBA is a blessing and to have had the opportunity to play before the Orlando fans for eight years was truly a privilege and an honor.

Words cannot express the love that I have for Orlando. With your support we have done great things in this city from hanging banners to impacting our youth.

Although my career with the Magic has come to a close, my love for the city and the people that make it beautiful will never end.

The letter to Magic fans caps off a tumultuous 2011-12 season in which Howard was at the centre of controversy which included his trade request and a public feud with now former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

In his eight years in Orlando, Howard averaged 18.4 points per game and 13 rebounds.