Courtskils

As of today, JJ Redick is penciled in as the starting 2 gaurd. I like many others wanted to see what Redick was all about last year. Well this year Magic fans are going to find out. Redick will be running circles around defenders looking for the jumpshot. The addition of Lewis and the current perceived subtraction of Grant Hill and Darko Milicec means Orlando will try and out score opponents. It is unquestionable that Lewis and Redick will both add fire power and that Dwight Howard should be almost unstoppable 1 on 1. Will Jameer Nelson learn to be a true pass first PG? Is JJ Redick ready for the spot light, are Magic fans ready to roll with Redick. Can Redick be the real deal or was he just made for college basketball? JJ Redick, next year can make or break your career. Mr. Redick you may also make or break Otis Smith's career. I for one hope Otis Smith adds depth and at least brings in a proven PF and a veteran 2 gaurd just in case good ole JJ isn't ready.

Darko's ceiling is higher than Dwights. Darko has the shot, the post moves, the big body, he's a good passer, he's a good defender. Dwight has the work ethic and athleticism. If Darko gets the work ethic he has the ability to be the BEST center in the league. Will that ever happen, I doubt it, but the guy has all the intangibles.

Of course the idea is far fetched but what else can you do with Darko? And what if anything can LA ever do with Kobe. LA can never get a superstar in return for Kobe because they will be in the exact same situation as they were before Kobe, a superstar and a bunch of D-League talent around him. That leaves LA with the option of trading for young talent and cap relief. Who in the league has more young talent than the Magic? Who in the league would be able to give up their young talent and still have a championship caliber team? Throw in Yi and LA would have to seriously consider it. They can go after Arenas next year and Darko, Ariza, Yi, Sun Jue, Redick, would all have opportunity to develop. Even better, Kwame Brown comes off the books. They would likely have over 20 million in cap room. The Lakers would be back in the playoffs in one year.

You ready to give the franchise to Kobe Bryant. Now that the Magic have gauranteed an offer to Lewis they have 8 days to shop Darko and in return get enough cap relief for Lewis. Yi Lian is the key. With his Stevie Franchise refusal to play in Milwaukee he may demand to play in L.A. next to Sun Yue. Darko wants to be the centerpiece and he wants money. The Magic if they work a sign and trade need capspace back so Lewis can still get his promised max deal. Magic send: Ariza, Redick, Milicec, Garrity, Arroyo, Turkoglu and a first round pick Milwaukee send Yi Lian and uses (8 mil) of capspace. L.A. send Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odum, and Javaris C (or Jordan F.). The Magic receive Kobe Bryant and cap relief. The Lakers receive: Darko, Redick, Ariza, Garrity, Arroyo, Turkoglu, and Yi, (and a ton of capspace off the books next year with Kwame, Arroyo, and Garrity off the books). Milwaukee receives, Odum Critteron and a first round pick. Is there any better scenario than this for L.A. a ton of young talent and cap space for next season. Milwaukee gets a team ready to win now. The Magic get a 3 headed monster. Grant Hill will most likely resign, and they can split the MLE for a servicable backup 2 gaurd like Matt Carrol and a sevicable big man. Orlando will be championship bound for the next 5 years. Place your other Darko trade scenarios below.

You ready to give the franchise to Kobe Bryant. Now that the Magic have gauranteed an offer to Lewis they have 8 days to shop Darko and in return get enough cap relief for Lewis. Yi Lian is the key. With his Stevie Franchise refusal to play in Milwaukee he may demand to play in L.A. next to Sun Yue. Darko wants to be the centerpiece and he wants money. The Magic if they work a sign and trade need capspace back so Lewis can still get his promised max deal. Magic send: Ariza, Redick, Milicec, Garrity, Arroyo, Turkoglu and a first round pick Milwaukee send Yi Lian and uses (8 mil) of capspace. L.A. send Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odum, and Javaris C (or Jordan F.). The Magic receive Kobe Bryant and cap relief. The Lakers receive: Darko, Redick, Ariza, Garrity, Arroyo, Turkoglu, and Yi, (and a ton of capspace off the books next year with Kwame, Arroyo, and Garrity off the books). Milwaukee receives, Odum Critteron and a first round pick. Is there any better scenario than this for L.A. a ton of young talent and cap space for next season. Milwaukee gets a team ready to win now. The Magic get a 3 headed monster. Grant Hill will most likely resign, and they can split the MLE for a servicable backup 2 gaurd like Matt Carrol and a sevicable big man. Orlando will be championship bound for the next 5 years. Place your other Darko trade scenarios below.

SmackDaddy, you still have to convince me. As of today, I am very disappointed. I will hold faith in Otis for 9 more days in hopes he will do something. I'm ok with the Lewis signing, however I am not OK with losing Darko. If the Magic sign Lewis outright, they will have to renounce Milicec's right and no way does Milicec stay in Orlando for the MLE. Orlando will not be able to offer him more than any other team. Milicec would be looking for a 5 year deal at the MLE and probably with a player option after 3. That would give him 3 years to "prove" he could be a cornerstone. If he signs with the Magic he is clearly option 3 and will most likely never have the opportunity to prove his worth. I repeat the chance Darko stays in Orlando for the MLE is zero. The Magic now have very limited cap space to deepen an already thin front line. I think it should also be assumed the Magic need another SG as you become very thin with Redick and Dooling. So you just created two vital needs by getting your boy Rashard. I think Otis dropped the ball on his own foot and panicked, he made promises of a wing scorer and after the Billy D. fiasco another PR nightmare would have existed if he was unable to land anyone. He also used words such as creative financing, signing Lewis outright eliminates all creativity. I think bottom line is Otis was banking on Vince Carter or working a draft day trade to attain capspace. Once he was unable to do that, he panicked. J Richardson was gone and the market for PROVEN wing scorers was very thin. Can anyone in hear say the Magic are championship worthy if they are unable to land any additional premier pieces? The Bulls have a better young nucleus, as do the Raptors, the Magic today will never compete with those two. What this does mean though is Darko Milicec and his agent have 9 days to work a Sign and Trade. If Darko wants more than the MLE this needs to happen. The problem is the Magic will need to take back 5 mil less in salaries than they give up (unless the trade is with Seattle). Mr. Vazquez coming over does not help the Magic now the Lewis is here, how many over sized SF's do you need? Based on the video of Frans, he is ready to bang with other PF's in the NBA. I would start floating with the idea of 3 team trades involving Darko and Lewis. If I were the Magic, my first call would be to L.A. Offer the bank for Kobe. And the scenario would be for Milwaukee involving YI (that's where the Magic make the cap space). Out for the Magic: Ariza (2.7) , Redick (2 mil), Turkoglu (6.3), Frans (1.5), Garrity (3.8), Milicec (8 mil), and Arroyo (4)28 mil Out for the Lakers Lamar Odum(13 mil) Kobe Bryant (19.5 mil) and Jordan Farmer or Javaris C. (1 mil) The Magic get Bryant Out for the Bucks- Yi Lian and (8 million) The Bucks get back Critteron and Lamar Odum and a first round pick The Lakers get Garrity, Ariza, Redick, Li, Darko, Hedo, rights to Franz, and Arroyo (Garrity and Arroyo will be free agents). They would be able to throw a max deal at Gilbert next season. Yi will get to play with Sun Yue, and the talent there is deep Frans, Darko, Ariza, Redick, and Li. One or two players may have to be involved for the Bucks, but it is the general idea.

I can't wait for the summer, I think I'm attending all the summer league games so I can see the lineups I've been waiting for. Could you imagine how unstoppable the Magic would be if all our under 25 talent plays the summer league. Howard, Redick, Diener, Milicec, Ariza. They would go undefeated! Magic for Summer League Championship!!!! Best of all Brian Hill cannot coach the team! Summer League where dreams come true

I think Lewis is off the table, because I see no way of Seattle taking Turkoglu unless its a three team swap. I doubt they want a third SF. I also think Pietrus is out of the question. He is a restricted FA and with Richardson shipped out, I do not see any way the Magic can make an offer that Golden State won't match. That leaves Carter, Wallace, and Billups or other trades. I just don't think Wallace is the answer. He is to similiar to Ariza and will not help spread the floor at all. We need someone who will take double teams off Howard. If Redick is your only deep threat in the game, all teams will do is play zone and shadow Redick. I'm all for Carter and as a backup option Billups. If Orlando gets Billups, Grant Hill will become a necesity. I don't know what Smith's plan is, but I hope he has one. I would hate to see the Magic end up with someone like Stackhouse because he is the only option available.

That's a shock, I can't believe they couldn't trade him, he definately is a solid backup. Since I said backup, the Magic have enough of them

Everyone including Otis says sign a scorer.. Who is out there available. Gerald Wallace is a slasher, not a scorer. Carter and Lewis are the only ones. Even Pietrus I believe is off the market, Golden State will match offers with J-Rich gone. Who is available on the trade market. Embrace yourself, this could be a very long summer. I still say the best move is to bring in a big 2 gaurd, that can play the three if needed. Carter is the only one I see that fits the mold.

I would like to have Billups with our current roster (except Jameer). Resigning Hill would give the Magic a good starting five. Howard, Darko, Hill, Redick, and Billups great mix of youth and vets. Hedo would remain an inusrance policy with Ariza the main bench player. Dooling would come in to play the high energy Lindsay Hunter role. Good deep team. But losing a piece to get Billups might hurt.

I hate to look at the negative, I've been positive all summer and looked forward for the Magic as a top 5 team in the East. The reality is alot of teams just got better and the Magic are still the same, (plus Van Gundy). Even if Fran comes over I don't expect him to contribute, he wasn't even the top player on his own team in a weak Euro League. Lewis and Wallace are not taking the Magic to the next level. The Magic need someone who can play the 2 and 3 positions. Carter is the only one available that might fill that void. J. Rich is gone and Ray Allen is gone, Stackhouse is old. The Magic need a big 2 gaurd, that is a decent shooter. Kobe Bryant is available!!!! Boy did Mitch Kupcheck look like he was on his last life. Then they went and drafted 2 point gaurds after drafting one last year. If I were Kobe, I would want out to. I don't think he would ever land up in Orlando though. Seriously though who else might become available besides Wallace, Carter, or Lewis?

A big voice, Lewis wants to get paid. So he'll try and work a sign and trade. If Orlando resigns Darko, they will not have enough cash to sign Lewis outright. Unless Lewis really really wants to come to Orlando and take a paycut, it will be hard for Orlando to work a deal. Seattle has leverage now, they have a large young core and could easily afford to let Lewis walk for nothing. So if they get something in return it better make their team better. Arroyo is not an upgrade from Ridneour, Darko is the only asset the Magic have to make them better.

From everything I heard last night, the Magic can only contribute 500k to buy out Fran. With these "cash considerations" can the pay more for the buyout. If not, why the **** would you give draft picks away. If anything, at least swap the pick for a future second round pick. With Billionare owners, who needs more cash?

I think Lewis is off the table, because I see no way of Seattle taking Turkoglu unless its a three team swap. I doubt they want a third SF. I also think Pietrus is out of the question. He is a restricted FA and with Richardson shipped out, I do not see any way the Magic can make an offer that Golden State won't match. That leaves Carter, Wallace, and Billups or other trades. I just don't think Wallace is the answer. He is to similiar to Ariza and will not help spread the floor at all. We need someone who will take double teams off Howard. If Redick is your only deep threat in the game, all teams will do is play zone and shadow Redick. I'm all for Carter and as a backup option Billups. If Orlando gets Billups, Grant Hill will become a necesity. I don't know what Smith's plan is, but I hope he has one. I would hate to see the Magic end up with someone like Stackhouse because he is the only option available.

who cares if Charlotte just gave their best "future" player away, they are trying to win today. And if they relinquish rights to Carroll and Wallace, they can sign Lewis. They will sign Lewis or keep Wallace, I doubt they want to roll the dice with Morrison.

To make the playoffs next year, the Magic must resign Darko, sign a top Free Agent and keep Hill. Let me break down the playoff teams: Detroit, will still be in playoffs (assuming Billups is there) Miami- Still a playoff team with Wade and Shaq healthy Cleveland- Still playoff team Raptors- They will still be a playoff team Chicago- They will still be a playoff team New Jersey- If Carter resigns they are still a playoff team, especially after they use MLE on a big man (remember Kristic comes back). Washington- They may drop out of the playoffs, but were pretty good when everyone was healthy, must use MLE on big man. The Magic- *lots of young talent, but didn't deserve the playoffs this year. What everyone doesn't understand is slowly the Eastern conference is on a rise. The worst thing about a bad conference is anyone thinks they can make the finals so they will try to do everything to make there teams immediately better. Like Michael Jordan said, I believe we are ready to win now. If Charlotte resigns Wallace, it instantly gives them two players that the Magic wanted to start for their team. They now have a good bench and a really good starting lineup. Talent wise they are better than the Magic. Boston- If Theo Ratliff comes back healthy watch out. He is a rebounder and a shot blocker, with Jefferson, Pierce, and Allen they have a good three man rotation, coaching is key. New York has all the talent in the world now, if they put it together, it could be scary. Good news is they have never put it together. Those are three teams dashing for the playoffs next year and with 6 teams almost locked the Magic are in a dog fight. Here's the other bad news. Atlanta has stockpiled talent and with one or two good moves this offseason, they might be in the race as well. Milwaukee needs a lot of help, but if they let Williams walk and then trade for a PG like Ridnour and use their money to make a run at someone like Darko or Lewis, they could get better. That only leaves two teams most likely no where near the playoffs, Indiana and Philly. Orlando has its work cut out. The way I see it, Billups and Carter instantly leap frogs us over Detroit and NJ as the Magic will take vital pieces away. If they sign Wallace, Charlotte is likely to go and sign Lewis so that doesn't help the Magic nearly as much. With the East wide open the Magic must do everything they can to win next year because almost everyone in the East has alot of young talent and will only get better.

Why wouldn't the Magic wait until draft time to make this exchange. Why would they do it so early? I always hear cash considerations for the pick, how much cash? The players salary at 54 is only going to be like 2-300k, so I doubt it would cost more than that to "buy" the pick. To me I would rather gamble on a foreign player that won't be ready for a couple years. I think his rights may be worth more than the "cash considerations"

If the Sonics are indeed trading Luke R. they may be willing to take back a PG whenever they deal lewis, food for thought

We have to young assets with potential, Redick and Ariza. JJ is without a doubt an SG and Ariza is without a doubt a SF. Ariza should not be traded for a SG and JJ should not be traded for a SF. It leaves the Magic too thin at one position. Just my thoughts.

The one factor why I like Otis is that he has vision. It is something alot of GM's lack. Some GM's think that talent is all you need and do not know how to blend that talent. I disagree largly however with one point NBR made and that is about Vince Carter. I would rather the Magic stay away from all top free agents and focus and adding 2 good team players a la Nocioni/ Pietrus/Varejo, etc. rather than trying to get a top free agent, but back to Vince Carter. Carter is ultimately, and has always wanted to be, a team player. It is why he fell off in Toronto, it is why his New Jersey teammates want him back. In Toronto, he did not want to be the man, he wanted to be part of a team. Do to the lack of talent, and Carter being a human highlight reel, he was always in the spotlight. In New Jersey, it was clearly Jason Kidd's team and Carter was just a teamate and part of a 3 headed monster and after Kristac's improvement last year, he was one of 4. This took the spotlight off of him and allowed him to play basketball. About mid way through this year Jason Kidd called him out and said they needed Vince to step up and "be the man" and he did what was asked. That stereotipical reputation came right back, that Carter was in it for the stats, himself, etc. Truth is can Carter be a selfish player, yes. Even more so, Carter would buy-in to the team concept. Jason Kidd, the most unselfish player in basketball had no problem with Carter's so called selfishness, because Carter is more of a team player than anyone gives him credit for. If you take the big shot and miss your selfish, if you take the big shot, make it and win, you become Michael Jordan. Jordan was a self proclaimed selfish player, but would you blame him. Larry Bird was a self proclaimed selfish player, can you blame him. There is a difference between being selfish and having the confidence to know you are the best player on the team and give them the best chance to win. If you think Carter will come to the team and take shots away from others, destroy the offense, be in it for himself, thats your opinion. I for one believe Otis Smith, will set the expectations, your coming here to win a championship and do what it takes, egos are left at the door.

Not bad, I'm glad he stepped up and gave some valuable information. Any cap experts out there know if there is a provision for trading and then refusing to exercise the option and how long do teams have to decline the option? Also, a side note, if this is indeed the Magic's strategy what teams and players have the team options? What other teams are trying to get below the cap that have assets to trade like this. Good post.

I don't think it's a lack of dribble penetration, I think it is how he is used in the offense. He has a very quick first step and has the body type to keep defenders away and protect the ball. I think it is more lack of PT than anything.

I have watched, played, and studied basketball for a long time. I have mentioned his name before but never had a lot of support, I say sign Mickael Pietrus. Carter, Lewis, Wallace would all be great for the Magic, but they can get the same production out of Pietrus. He is the same type of player as Gerald Wallace, but has a better shot. He impacts the game both defensive and offensively but has always been stuck behind Jason Richardson. The Warriors have discussed moving Richardson so they can open a roster slot for Pietrus (and Monta Ellis). He will likely command money in the MLE range. If you want to go bargain shopping and not overpay this guy is the way to go. He will come at an extreme discount to his future production. I know the video is a "highlight" reel but watch how he can drive to the hoop with both hands, and he uses the left and the right with extreme comfort. He is an NBA All-Star ready player, just has not had the opportunity to be the man. Gerald Wallace got the opportunity in Charlotte and look what happened. Orlando if your scared of the big boys and big contracts look at Mickael Pietrus

The thing about Dwight, Wade, Lebron, Carmello, Bosh and all the young up and coming superstars is you don't know what the future brings. Every team makes a committment to their young stars hoping that they can lead them to glory one day. It takes years to figure out if that ever happens. Let's say years ago when Shaq was in his prime, do you think Minnesota would have traded Garnett for him? Probably not, but today looking that Shaq has 4 titles to Garnet's 0, I think Minnesota would of done that hands down. It would be like the Magic trading for Duncan today. If Duncan is the centerpiece for 4 more San Antonio titles and D. Howard never see's one title, well then you probably wish you would of traded. I'm all for rolling the dice with Dwight. He is focused, has a solid moral foundation, and is a hard-worker. I think he will figure out what it takes to get to the top.