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MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

 

Nelson deal no slam dunk

Brian Schmitz

MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

 

March 13, 2007

 

The idea of handing a contract extension to Dwight Howard this summer is, in the basketball vernacular, a slam-dunk.

 

The notion that Jameer Nelson also would be rewarded along with Howard was considered at least a lay-up at one time . . . but not anymore.

 

Nelson's decline this season has introduced a degree of difficulty into the process. In fact, the Magic are wondering whether to offer Nelson an extension -- or wait to see what happens should he become a restricted free agent next summer.

 

"We start talking about extensions like they're a given," General Manager Otis Smith told the Sentinel. "Jameer has to understand that we expect more out of him."

 

In some ways, said Smith, measuring Nelson's worth is more challenging than figuring out Darko Milicic's. The Magic nixed an extension offer to Milicic before the season, allowing him to become a restricted free agent this summer.

 

The club has a feel for what the market might be for a young 7-foot big man. But for a 5-10 point guard who is struggling with turnovers and running a team, well, not so much.

 

Steve Mountain, Nelson's agent, recently told the Sentinel that he believes "Jameer has done enough" to prove himself after almost three seasons. The Magic, obviously, are of a different opinion.

 

"I don't think Jameer's had the best of years," Smith said.

 

If Nelson expects to be paid a salary similar to, say, Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich (5 years/$47.5 million ), no deal will get done between him and the Magic this summer. The club's contract parameters, perhaps, for Nelson's extension align closer to Seattle SuperSonics point guard Luke Ridnour (3 years/$19.5 million).

 

The Magic could be taking on a lot of longterm payroll this offseason. Howard is expected to receive a five-year, $87.5 million deal. If he finds a suitor, Milicic could fetch a four- or five-year contract worth $40-$50 million. The Magic want him back, but on a short-term deal.

 

Orlando also wants to sign a free agent this summer, preferably a scorer. Adding Nelson's extension to the mix, along with Howard's and Milicic's, would give the Magic three weighty contracts.

 

Don't get Smith wrong: He's a huge Nelson fan. He loves his toughness and believes Nelson can be an outstanding point guard.

 

He just wants Jameer to prove him right.

 

A sales pitch

 

What do napkins, baseball and Scott Skiles have in common? They're a part of Magic lore as detailed in a book by agent Keith Glass titled Taking Shots.

 

Glass, Skiles' agent, writes that in 1991 he negotiated a contract for Skiles with former Magic general manager Pat Williams at a spring-training game.

 

On napkins.

 

Williams wrote one Magic offer on a napkin -- $3.6 million for three years. Glass said he went to the concession stands and returned with peanuts for Pat -- and, ahem, a four-inch stack of napkins. "When I returned to my seat," Glass writes, "I put the peanuts and napkins in Pat's lap and said, 'You're going to need all of these!' "

 

It was the Magic who made the concession to Skiles -- and not for peanuts: four years, $9 million.

 

Reunion With T-Mac Painful for Hill

 

Now this would have been the Grant Hill injury to beat all Grant Hill injuries.

 

Sunday, in Houston, Hill came away with soreness in his right hand. Nothing serious was found after X-rays were taken.

 

How did Hill get injured this time? He whacked former Magic teammate Tracy McGrady. "It happened on a play when I fouled Tracy and I banged my pinkie finger," Hill said. "It's just a little swollen."

 

Hill sometimes laments T-Mac's absence in Orlando. "It could have been great still having Tracy here. But we just have to realize that the times have changed and the days of seeing an athlete stay in one place for their entire career is probably over," Hill said. "I mean Tracy was with Vince Carter in Toronto. How good could they have been together?"

 

SCOOP DOGG I

 

The Magic are sweating the arena vote by the county. And they likely have no chance of changing the constant "no" vote from city commish Phil Diamond, who, ironically, is a Magic season-ticket holder.

 

SCOOP DOGG II

 

Although the team has been passed down from Rich DeVos to family members, DeVos' son-in-law, Bob Vander Weide, won't officially represent the family as "owner" until the arena situation is settled.

 

The Final Word

 

Familiar faces stand in Magic's playoff path: Steve Francis, Doc Rivers, Darrell Armstrong, Mike Miller, DeShawn Stevenson -- and Shaq.

 

THEY GOT NEXT

 

Wednesday: Utah Jazz at Magic. Remember back when the Magic were a wonder, waltzed into Salt Lake City and beat the Jazz on Nov. 27? It's as if Orlando was a different team then. Come to think of it . . .

 

Saturday: Sacramento Kings at Magic. The Kings are another West team that fell victim to whatever karma the Magic carried into that trip, but they are no contender these days. Ron Artest got arrested while the Kings continue to broker an arena deal, and he'll likely become an ex-King this summer.

 

Sunday: Magic at Miami Heat. As the playoff chase turns, this will be a much more meaningful game for the Magic. Without D-Wade's help, Shaq likely will have to remind Dwight Howard that he can do more than break-dance at 35.

 

Pressure Point

 

Used to be that when the Magic failed to make the playoffs that they at least could fall back on the draft lottery.

 

Not this season. . . . well, not likely, anyway.

 

The Magic dealt their first-round pick last season to the Detroit Pistons as part of the trade that brought them Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo.

 

If they somehow land a top 5 choice, they would be able to keep the pick. Chances are, though, it will go to the Pistons in what experts are calling one of the deepest drafts in years.

 

The Magic essentially got Milicic -- the Pistons' No. 2 choice in 2003 -- as their lottery pick, which increases pressure to re-sign him.

 

Power Poll

 

1. Dallas Mavericks. 30-3 at home.

 

2. San Antonio Spurs. Streaking, too.

 

3. Stevie Franchise. NBA death exaggerated?

 

4. Phoenix Suns. Playoff tough enough?

 

5. Ron Artest. Or is it Ron Arrest?

 

6. Detroit Pistons. Lose 'Sheed with Cavs on heels.

 

7. Mo Cheeks. Nice job restarting Sixers.

 

8. Utah Jazz. Sloan Coach of Year.

 

9. Cleveland Cavs. One-man gang.

 

10. Miami Heat. All they need is spring training.

 

Brian Schmitz can be reached at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com. He can be heard each Monday at 9:15 a.m. on 740 The Team.

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MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

 

Nelson deal no slam dunk

Brian Schmitz

MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

 

March 13, 2007

 

The idea of handing a contract extension to Dwight Howard this summer is, in the basketball vernacular, a slam-dunk.

 

The notion that Jameer Nelson also would be rewarded along with Howard was considered at least a lay-up at one time . . . but not anymore.

 

Nelson's decline this season has introduced a degree of difficulty into the process. In fact, the Magic are wondering whether to offer Nelson an extension -- or wait to see what happens should he become a restricted free agent next summer.

 

"We start talking about extensions like they're a given," General Manager Otis Smith told the Sentinel. "Jameer has to understand that we expect more out of him."

 

In some ways, said Smith, measuring Nelson's worth is more challenging than figuring out Darko Milicic's. The Magic nixed an extension offer to Milicic before the season, allowing him to become a restricted free agent this summer.

 

The club has a feel for what the market might be for a young 7-foot big man. But for a 5-10 point guard who is struggling with turnovers and running a team, well, not so much.

 

Steve Mountain, Nelson's agent, recently told the Sentinel that he believes "Jameer has done enough" to prove himself after almost three seasons. The Magic, obviously, are of a different opinion.

 

"I don't think Jameer's had the best of years," Smith said.

 

If Nelson expects to be paid a salary similar to, say, Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich (5 years/$47.5 million ), no deal will get done between him and the Magic this summer. The club's contract parameters, perhaps, for Nelson's extension align closer to Seattle SuperSonics point guard Luke Ridnour (3 years/$19.5 million).

 

The Magic could be taking on a lot of longterm payroll this offseason. Howard is expected to receive a five-year, $87.5 million deal. If he finds a suitor, Milicic could fetch a four- or five-year contract worth $40-$50 million. The Magic want him back, but on a short-term deal.

 

Orlando also wants to sign a free agent this summer, preferably a scorer. Adding Nelson's extension to the mix, along with Howard's and Milicic's, would give the Magic three weighty contracts.

 

Don't get Smith wrong: He's a huge Nelson fan. He loves his toughness and believes Nelson can be an outstanding point guard.

 

He just wants Jameer to prove him right.

 

A sales pitch

 

What do napkins, baseball and Scott Skiles have in common? They're a part of Magic lore as detailed in a book by agent Keith Glass titled Taking Shots.

 

Glass, Skiles' agent, writes that in 1991 he negotiated a contract for Skiles with former Magic general manager Pat Williams at a spring-training game.

 

On napkins.

 

Williams wrote one Magic offer on a napkin -- $3.6 million for three years. Glass said he went to the concession stands and returned with peanuts for Pat -- and, ahem, a four-inch stack of napkins. "When I returned to my seat," Glass writes, "I put the peanuts and napkins in Pat's lap and said, 'You're going to need all of these!' "

 

It was the Magic who made the concession to Skiles -- and not for peanuts: four years, $9 million.

 

Reunion With T-Mac Painful for Hill

 

Now this would have been the Grant Hill injury to beat all Grant Hill injuries.

 

Sunday, in Houston, Hill came away with soreness in his right hand. Nothing serious was found after X-rays were taken.

 

How did Hill get injured this time? He whacked former Magic teammate Tracy McGrady. "It happened on a play when I fouled Tracy and I banged my pinkie finger," Hill said. "It's just a little swollen."

 

Hill sometimes laments T-Mac's absence in Orlando. "It could have been great still having Tracy here. But we just have to realize that the times have changed and the days of seeing an athlete stay in one place for their entire career is probably over," Hill said. "I mean Tracy was with Vince Carter in Toronto. How good could they have been together?"

 

SCOOP DOGG I

 

The Magic are sweating the arena vote by the county. And they likely have no chance of changing the constant "no" vote from city commish Phil Diamond, who, ironically, is a Magic season-ticket holder.

 

SCOOP DOGG II

 

Although the team has been passed down from Rich DeVos to family members, DeVos' son-in-law, Bob Vander Weide, won't officially represent the family as "owner" until the arena situation is settled.

 

The Final Word

 

Familiar faces stand in Magic's playoff path: Steve Francis, Doc Rivers, Darrell Armstrong, Mike Miller, DeShawn Stevenson -- and Shaq.

 

THEY GOT NEXT

 

Wednesday: Utah Jazz at Magic. Remember back when the Magic were a wonder, waltzed into Salt Lake City and beat the Jazz on Nov. 27? It's as if Orlando was a different team then. Come to think of it . . .

 

Saturday: Sacramento Kings at Magic. The Kings are another West team that fell victim to whatever karma the Magic carried into that trip, but they are no contender these days. Ron Artest got arrested while the Kings continue to broker an arena deal, and he'll likely become an ex-King this summer.

 

Sunday: Magic at Miami Heat. As the playoff chase turns, this will be a much more meaningful game for the Magic. Without D-Wade's help, Shaq likely will have to remind Dwight Howard that he can do more than break-dance at 35.

 

Pressure Point

 

Used to be that when the Magic failed to make the playoffs that they at least could fall back on the draft lottery.

 

Not this season. . . . well, not likely, anyway.

 

The Magic dealt their first-round pick last season to the Detroit Pistons as part of the trade that brought them Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo.

 

If they somehow land a top 5 choice, they would be able to keep the pick. Chances are, though, it will go to the Pistons in what experts are calling one of the deepest drafts in years.

 

The Magic essentially got Milicic -- the Pistons' No. 2 choice in 2003 -- as their lottery pick, which increases pressure to re-sign him.

 

Power Poll

 

1. Dallas Mavericks. 30-3 at home.

 

2. San Antonio Spurs. Streaking, too.

 

3. Stevie Franchise. NBA death exaggerated?

 

4. Phoenix Suns. Playoff tough enough?

 

5. Ron Artest. Or is it Ron Arrest?

 

6. Detroit Pistons. Lose 'Sheed with Cavs on heels.

 

7. Mo Cheeks. Nice job restarting Sixers.

 

8. Utah Jazz. Sloan Coach of Year.

 

9. Cleveland Cavs. One-man gang.

 

10. Miami Heat. All they need is spring training.

 

Brian Schmitz can be reached at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com. He can be heard each Monday at 9:15 a.m. on 740 The Team.

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