The final hours until Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline have disintegrated into complete chaos surrounding the future of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

After Howard repeatedly changed his mind Wednesday on whether to sign a waiver for his contract’s early termination option for the 2012-13 season – he told Magic officials he would be back next season then told them later in the day he wouldn’t commit to signing the waiver, allowing him to enter free agency on July 1.

Howard said he would sign the paperwork for the waiver to remain with the Magic through the 2012-13 season and forgo free agency.

Howard initially asked the Magic to trade him before the start of the season. “Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando,” Howard said. “I just can’t leave it behind.”

Howard also said in the interview that he had received “bad advice” in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. “I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city,” he said. “They didn’t deserve none of this.”

Several of Howard’s advisers and other members of his inner circle were unaware of his change of heart Wednesday night.