LJ Magic

quote: Originally posted by RadiantShot: quote: Originally posted by MagicDelight:You guys realize this trade could be done anytime in the next couple of days. It doesn't have to be done tonight I believe. That's true..****, I just wish it was tonight. True but if it legit you would like it to get done sooner than later so that another team doesn't come in and up the ante.

quote: Originally posted by Darrell_Armstrong:I hate Otis sometimes: "when asked if he had talked to Hornets today, he said "no." FWIW." http://twitter.com/bqrmagic May be true. Twardzik handles most of the preliminary negotiations.

Does anyone else find it ironic that many of us were upset when we took Dwight over Emeka in the draft and now we value Okafor so little that he could be a deal killer for Chris Frickin Paul?

quote: Originally posted by Magic Fan 4 Life: quote: Originally posted by Walddo:Horrible Pick by Chicago. That's my gut at least. Pick is going to OKC Washington actually along with Hinrich.

I hate the Thunder. They ruin any Paul deal and they were the ones that took the deal from the Heat allowing them to get under the cap far enough to offer three max contracts this summer. Ugh.

The Knicks have to be bummed. They go from being the only team that can offer two max contracts to one of three teams. Plus, they have the least desirable assets on board.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy:Where are there better options? Realistic options? I'm not saying Salmons is the answer to all our prayers. But he isn't the worst option out there, and has always played for an affordable amount. And yes, he's 30. But he's only been in the league 7 years and only played in 601 career games. That's not much wear and tear (and I also don't recall him ever having any serious injury concerns). I agree Smack. I think he would do well here and is a much more reasonable option than the "trade for every all star" scenarios being thrown out. It takes two teams to make a trade and most of the dream scenarios being floated around here are great for Orlando but don't have a prayer of going through. I can't see anyone trading an all star or lottery pick for Gortat and nobody is going to take on Carter's contract until the deadline when 3/4 of it has been paid. At that point maybe we can get a disgruntled star player.

I rarely voice my opinion in any of these trade threads but the Wizards latest deal did get me thinking. With there logjam of quality perimeter players I wonder if Butler could be more available. If you will recall Otis Smith made inquiries about Butler at the trade deadline. Butler played for Van Gundy in Miami and did very well. Washington now has a need for another big body to go along with Haywood, who is coming off of injury. Javale McGee is slight of frame and Blatche is a major disappointment to this point. Could Washington be convinced to trade Butler for Gortat and expiring deals? I don't know the answer but it is certainly worth exploring I think.

I don't mean to throw gasoline on a fire by posting this but when I looked at the +/- of Hedo and Pietrus in this series I was shocked. Through the first four games the team has been -15 versus the Sixers when Hedo is in the game. However, when Pietrus is in the game the team is +19 versus the Sixers. That stat just shocked me. Hedo might be the better player but, clearly, Pietrus is the better option against an athletic player like Iguodala.

I like Hedo as a player but I think I would explore a sign and trade or considering letting him walk. I didn't always think this way but here is why I do now. With the emergence of Jameer Nelson and Courtney Lee I think we have enough players to run the offense. Last year when Jameer was struggling and Lee was still in college Hedo was critical to the success of this team. He was the only legitimate playmaker we had. However, now he just seems to bog down the offense by holding the ball too long or taking an ill advised shot. I think our ball movement is better without him and I feel more comfortable with Howard, Lewis, Lee and Nelson taking shots and creating offense than I do Hedo. Plus, when you consider Hedo will be on the wrong side of 30 very soon and the the fact that he wants 8-10 million I think we have to cut ties. It may be me but I think he as even lost a step from last year. Guys like Iguodala and Young get around Hedo at will and he doesn't create the space on offense with his drives that he did in the past. I like Hedo and wish him the best but I think the team would be better if it cut ties and looked for another hard nosed big man instead. What do you guys think?

I think this all stems from Jordan. Jordan raised the intensity bar and because he is viewed as the greatest player ever anytime somebody comes along that doesn't fit his mold is viewed as being less than ideal. People forget that before Jordan a guy named Magic Johnson won five championships with a smile on his face the entire time.

quote: Originally posted by TheRevTy:Yeah, I'm asking if we could do a deal like Hedo (signed at 4 years - 10 million per year) and Gortat (signed at 4 years, 4 million per year) for a player that makes around 14 million per year? Obviously that is a hypothetical, and would need to be tweaked, but the general idea is there. It doesn't quite work that way. Both Turkoglu and Gortat would likely be base year compensation players under that scenario. A base year compensation player is a player who is re-signed via: A)The team is over the salary cap, used the Larry Bird or Early Bird exception to re-sign the player, and the player received a raise greater than 20% (unless it's the minimum salary) OR B)The team is over the salary cap, it extended the player's rookie scale contract, and the player received a raise greater than 20%. If this occurs the players salary when considering trades is his previous salary or 50% or his new first year salary, whichever is greater. The likelihood of finding a trading partner in these economic conditions that would trade approximately $6.5M in actual salary for $14M in actual salary is zero. That is what would have to occur. Orlando could take back no more than around $6.5M (rough estimate) in salary but would be giving up approximately $14M in actual salary even though only $6.5M counts in the trade. Base year compensation players are rarely traded. Here is a link with more information on base year players. Base Year

quote: Originally posted by Miller4Prez64: quote: Originally posted by DontPushMe:for all of you guys who think alston is expiring hes not, he is due another 5 or 6 million next year He's an expiring next year....with Battie and AJ. Meaning this time next year we can make some moves for teams desperate for cap in the big FA market. This is an important point as next year at the trade deadline teams will be making one last effort to position themselves for the free agent class of 2010. This could be a golden opportunity to get a great player with multiple years left on his contract.

Guys, nothing is going to happen except a slew of quotes from Otis like "nothing made sense", "I like our team", "teams were asking for too much", or "teams were offering fool's gold". I would be shocked if anything happens.

SmackDaddy, I agree with everything you wrote. Look, when the Magic signed Rashard they never in their wildest dreams expected Turkoglu to develop into an all star like talent. He had shown glimpses in the past but most players don't suddenly explode at his age. The fact that he did is great for us but it also diminishes the value of the deal we made with Rashard. Essentially Hedo can provide everything we were expecting Rashard to provide when we signed him. Therefore, anything we can do to get Rashard's contract off the books, even if it means taking a small short term step back, is a good deal in my mind. With the flexibility we can add parts to fix our weaknesses like a tough minded PF, quality bench players, and point guard quality/depth. Randolph may not provide these things but the flexibility we could achieve by getting him could. Don't get me wrong, I am not a huge fan of Randolph but he could provide a different short term look and free up some time for players like Lee to develop. The truth is I don't think the Knicks would even do this deal. They know that any future free agent plans they may have would be shot once they acquired Rashard's contract. I like Rashard as a player but I think we could build better other ways. I was one of those, along with Smack, that thought the deal was terrible from the get go not because of the quality of player we were getting but because of what it would do to our depth and overall talent. We are starting to see the affects already and I expect that it could get worse still.

I just read that Denver plans to waive Antonio McDyess. I think he would be a great fit for this team. He can hit the mid range jump shot and plays solid defense. What do you guys think?

I just read that Denver plans to waive Antonio McDyess. I think he would be a great fit for this team. He can hit the mid range jump shot and plays solid defense. What do you guys think?

I have lived my entire life in Vermont where most NBA fans either follow the Celtics or Lakers (surprisingly). It is a 3.5 hour drive to see a game in Boston. I started following the NBA around 1987 but didn't really like any team in particular. So, when it was announced Orlando would get a team I was excited. My parents and I vacationed in Orlando late March and early April. I was able to see 2-3 games at the O-Rena every year. So, despite the fact that I live closer to Boston it was more likely that I would watch more games in Orlando. A few years later Shaq was drafted and it sealed the deal for me. I don't get to Orlando that often anymore but I rarely miss the Magic when the come to Boston.

For me it was Troy Hudson during his first year here. He grew on me some after that but he was terrible that first season.

That was a good read and it is difficult to argue with their points. Yes, we are a good team but I am also skeptical whether we can make the step to greatness. Hedo and Rashard are in their prime now. In two to three years they will likely be on the decline. That means Howard has to grow tremendously to offset any decreased production. I think he is capable but I still get concerned about his offense. Right now he is not a guaranteed score like a Duncan when you throw it down on the blocks. He could get there but it is going to take a lot of work. He still needs a consistent move and counter-move. I know it is old news and I have come to grips with the reality (what else can you do) but it is still disheartening to read about the negative long term ramifications of the Lewis contract. I guess I drank the Bosh koolaid a little last week and got my hopes up but the reality is that it can't happen when one guy is getting ~ $20 million a year. I think Lee could be key. I am hoping that he turns into something special a la Michael Redd in the next few years. That would be a pleasant development.

quote: Originally posted by magicdepth:If I was a betting man I would say Turk would be the first magic player to make the organization pay some taxes next year. He is worth every penny of it. I hope we don't just let Turk go to avoid the tax. A quote in today's Sentinel article causes some concern though. Here is the quote, Magic President Bob Vander Weide said the team will not go over the punitive luxury tax to do so. This was in regards to signing Dooling. I don't think ownership will agree to pay the tax in the future either. We better not lose Turk for nothing next year.

quote: Originally posted by echo4papa: quote: Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: quote: Originally posted by WPMagic:I'm confused! I 2nd that. I'm hoping that when the rumor mill's start posting today we will get some more information. Josh Smith needs to hurry up and make his decision, he's holding everything up. Once we know that there is no team with space that is going to make an offer to Corey his choice should be simple, SA or ORL. It isn't up to Smith is it? Philly can make him an offer, but then it's up to Atlanta to match it or not. Actually, doesn't it work in our favor that the Smith situation gets drawn out? The sooner Atlanta matches Philly's offer, the sooner Philly can throw money at Maggette. If it draws out, maybe Maggette gets tired of waiting and decides between San Antonio and Orlando. But will Otis have the patience to wait it out? I doubt it.

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy: quote: Originally posted by the notorious S.A.C.:I just heard Otis speak on ESPN and he said, "Pietrus is fools gold too...." Did he really use the words "fools gold" again? What I want to know is...Who isn't fools gold in Otis' opinion? Shard at 118 million? Jameer 1 year before being an restricted free agent? Battie at twice his worth? WHO????? Otis is simply not cut out for this job. He doesn't get it. He is incapable of thinking out side the box and is constantly burning bridges. If you don't like a player please don't come out and say so to the press. That alienates the player and, most likely, his agent. Guess what Otis, you may have to deal with that same agent again down the road. You know what, maybe Maggette is smart for staying away from this guy.

Geez, I only left for an hour and when I come back I read this. How is it that Otis feels $15M+ is a fair deal for Rashard yet Maggette, who has nearly identical stats to Rashard's last year in Seattle, doesn't deserve it? Otis couldn't have tried too hard. Maggette asked Orlando to make an offer prior to free agency because he was interested. Otis probably too the same un-professional approach as he did with Darko last year. It is amazing how he can be so blind when it comes to his favorites (Howard, Nelson, Lewis) and so inept when it comes to other players. If the article is right and we lost out on Maggette is anyone up for www.fireotis.com?

quote: Originally posted by Catman:You guys are insane if you think the Magic are not in contact with Maggette. They never talk to the OS about anything for a reason. That is why everything in the OS is pure speculation and is rarely correct. Duhon coming here to talk, JJ leaving..all things that have been brewing for months now. The Maggette situation is icing IMO. Catman, I hope you are right. Everytime I read one of your posts I feel better. I wouldn't be worried at all if Otis didn't have such a questionable track record and if Schmitz would stop being such a downer.