Florida Today:Orlando to sign Archibald

[George O'Brien]

Dec 25, 10:12 PM

Orlando to sign Archibald

By John Denton
FLORIDA TODAY

ORLANDO -- Still seeking more size on the inside, the Orlando Magic will sign former Phoenix Suns center Robert Archibald today.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound Archibald is expected to join the Magic tonight when they play in San Antonio. To make room for Archibald, Orlando will waive small forward Monty Williams, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia earlier in the week. Williams, who played with the Magic from 1999-2002, is expected to retire from the NBA because of a serious knee injury.

The Magic discussed acquiring Archibald with the Suns earlier in the week when they traded small forward Donnell Harvey to Phoenix. The Magic ended up getting a second-round pick in exchange for Harvey.

The Magic also are shopping disappointing third-year center Steven Hunter. The 7-foot, 240-pound Hunter started 14 games early in the season but has since fallen out of favor with new head coach Johnny Davis. Hunter has played just 15 minutes in the past 11 games and has failed to get into seven games entirely.

Orlando general manager John Gabriel made no secret before the season that this was likely a make-or-break season for Hunter. The Magic refused to extend his contract before the season, meaning he will be a free agent at season's end.

Archibald, a University of Illinois product, did not accompany the Suns on a recent West Coast roadtrip and has played in just one game this season since being traded from Memphis.

 

[King A]

when did we release archibald???

 

[George O'Brien]

There is nothing on the Suns web site and Archibald is listed on the Suns roster, but considering the Suns are in the luxury tax area I am sure they would be happy to have him move.

 

[slinslin]

The Suns still have to pay Archibald if they waive him.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
The Suns still have to pay Archibald if they waive him.

My understanding was that if the Orlando Magic pick him up the Suns only pay the difference between his old salary and his new one with the magic. In other words I thought you could not be paid by two teams at the same time.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

espn.com reports that Archibald got traded to ORL for a future conditional 2nd round pick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=1694370

 

[elindholm]

My understanding was that if the Orlando Magic pick him up the Suns only pay the difference between his old salary and his new one with the magic. In other words I thought you could not be paid by two teams at the same time.

Yes, that is correct. And since Archibald's salary with the Suns was very small, Orlando would be paying most of it, even if they signed him for a minimum deal.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by elindholm
My understanding was that if the Orlando Magic pick him up the Suns only pay the difference between his old salary and his new one with the magic. In other words I thought you could not be paid by two teams at the same time.

Yes, that is correct. And since Archibald's salary with the Suns was very small, Orlando would be paying most of it, even if they signed him for a minimum deal.

That may be correct generally but in that case it doesn't matter since the Suns did not waive Archibald, ORL did not sign Archibald but they did acquire him for a future 2nd rounder via trade.

 

[jbeecham]

So did we get our own 2nd rd pick back or is it a conditional future 2nd rd pick of the Magic? Generally 2nd rd picks aren't worth much, but there is the occasional diamond in the rough (Boozer, Arenas, Gadzuric, etc.) and the Suns 2nd rd pick next year should be pretty early in the rd.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by jbeecham
So did we get our own 2nd rd pick back or is it a conditional future 2nd rd pick of the Magic?

Probably the latter one.

 

[SirStefan32]

Eastern Conference- watch out- the Magic got the star!