[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
Magic still in the market[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]BY JOHN DENTON [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]FLORIDA TODAY [/FONT]
Powered by
Topix.net
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic have held preliminary trade discussions with the Denver Nuggets about power forward Reggie Evans, but the deal still might be weeks away from transpiring.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Magic, in desperate need of another center/power forward after losing Darko Milicic to free agency, have also had contact with recently released Golden State center Adonal Foyle. But the Magic are in no hurry to sign the 10-year veteran center who is offensively challenged, but would give Orlando another big body and a shot blocker off the bench.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Denver has a logjam at power forward with Kenyon Martin, Nene, Marcus Camby, Eduardo Najera and the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Evans. It's no secret the Nuggets would like to move Martin, who has a bloated contract and is coming off another major knee injury, but the Magic certainly aren't interested.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Evans, 27, has proven himself to be a premier rebounder when given significant minutes and he's a better-than-average post defender. He could fortify a Magic frontline that will have Dwight Howard, Tony Battie and little else.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Payroll concerns also are an issue for the Nuggets, who have $78 million on the books for next season. Getting out from under the $18.8 million still owed to Evans during the next four seasons might appeal to Denver.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]One rumored trade could feature the Magic sending Keyon Dooling and Pat Garrity to Denver for Evans and enigmatic shooting guard J.R. Smith. The Magic would have to throw in another low-salaried player to make the deal work. Both Dooling and Garrity have expiring contracts, something that would be appealing to the Nuggets.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Orlando also has a hole at shooting guard after losing Grant Hill to the Phoenix Suns in free agency. Smith would rise to the top of the depth chart in Orlando where his long-range shooting would complement Howard's low-post dominance.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]"We still have a lot of conversations going on, but I wouldn't say we're close to anything right now," said Magic general manager Otis Smith, who was beginning a vacation with his family Tuesday. "We've talked to a bunch of people and we'll continue to do that."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Flexibility limited[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Having spent all of their salary cap dollars on free-agent forward Rashard Lewis, the Magic have just the $1.2 million veteran's exception left to sign a free agent big man. They have tried recruiting veterans Chris Webber and P.J. Brown to Orlando with little success. Webber has said he likely will play for either Detroit or Dallas. Brown is mulling retirement, but could sign with contenders Dallas or Phoenix for the full mid-level exception ($4.9 million).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Evans seemed to fall out favor in Denver's up-tempo game plan late last season. His playing time fell to 17.1 minutes a game, the fewest of his six-year NBA career. Also, he played just 13.8 minutes during the playoffs. [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]With Martin hoping to return by opening night, the Nuggets seem to have little need for Evans and could trade him to the Magic in the coming [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]weeks.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Smith, 21, has had trouble with coaches with the Hornets and Nuggets, but his talent is undeniable. He averaged a career-best 13 points a game last season while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range. He had 37 points in a game against the Miami Heat this past season, a game in which he made seven 3-pointers. He ranked 15th in the league in 3-pointers made (149).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Smith said any addition the Magic make via a trade or in free agency could go right down to the days before training camp opens on Sept. 29.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]"What's the hurry? You have to ask yourself, 'Who are we hurrying for?' " Smith said. "What guy out there right now won't be there later in September? Foyle is a prime example. We don't want to fill up our roster and have no room to do anything else down the road. We're going to be patient and if something makes sense, we'll do it."[/FONT]
Dback JonDoing it My Way
RoninCaptain obvious
DevilmaycareKing of Technicalities
ShaneMy time of year!
Brian in MesaAdvocatus Diaboli