ORLANDO, FL — Whether Dwight Howard winds up parting ways remains to be seen, and Howard said Sunday that he is experiencing a new silence with Magic general manager Otis Smith.

Howard made a formal request to the Magic last week to be traded. While Howard participated in his third training camp practice Sunday, he said he hasn’t spoken with Smith about where the progress of his request stands.

“He hasn’t said anything to me since then,” Howard said.

Asked if it had been complete silence, he again responded: “He hasn’t said anything to me.”

Howard acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that he had asked for the Magic – the only team he’s played for in seven NBA seasons – to trade him. Smith previously granted New Jersey, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers permission to talk to Howard’s agent, Dan Fegan, about possible deals.

The All-Star center is eligible to opt out of his current contract in July 2012.