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If Darko walks...; ...what FA big should we pursue?
Topic Started: Jul 6 2007, 09:50 AM (1,293 Views)
The Archduke
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Sixth Man
I was reading a Schmitz article and he mentioned a few guys.

1. Joe Smith - I like Smith's blue-collar approach, but he'll probably come pricey. Of course, if we free up the space in a sign-and-trade for Shard and Darko still walks away, it might be worth our while to spend a little. He's a fairly decent scorer and a better rebounder than most think.

2. Jamaal Magloire - We've discussed him in another thread. He's an experienced big that will give you some rebounding and an occasional scoring burst. A former All-Star (though sadly, probably the least deserving of such a title of all-time), he would add welcome depth.

3. Melvin Ely - I seem to remember this guy having some baggage issues, but a year in the Spurs organization may have filtered it all out. He was low on the bench last season, and his career averages are pretty pedestrian. What scares me is his LOW rebounding averages. In Charlotte a few years back, he averaged around 10 points a game and just a shade under 4 boards. He brings depth, but those low rebound numbers make me think he's not the toughest of players.

Any guys you are thinking about? And this is all speculation, of course....I want Darko back before any of these guys jump on our radar.
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Ben Q Rock
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3QC
There isn't a whole lot out there. Joe Smith played well in Philly last season, but I doubt he still has much gas left in the tank. Still, signing him would give the Magic two first-overall draft picks on their front line. Nifty trivia bit, I guess.

I came down strong on Magloire in the thread devoted to him, but he isn't terrible. He could best be described as 'serviceable', and I guess he's a better version of Tony Battie. He doesn't "wow" me, but he wouldn't be awful.

I can't say the same about Melvin Ely. Dude just can't rebound, and I worry about his toughness.

The best thing would be for the Magic to re-sign Darko, but we all know what the chances of that happening are.

EDIT: Anderson Varejao is a restricted free-agent, and the Cavs want to keep him, but they minght let him go if the price is too high. That said, I don't want him anywhere near the Magic. His flopping makes a mockery of the integrity of basketball, and he's likely reached his ceiling in terms of talent. Just say no.
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TheFalcon
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Air Gortat
Hmm... good question. Obviously, Joe Smith would be a great addition.

One guy I've grown to like is Mikki Moore. I haven't really been following the Nets free agency, so I'm not sure on whether he has verbally agreed to resign or whatnot, but he's listed as an unrestricted free agent. He could come in and probably take the starting spot from Battie, and allow Battie to come in as the veteran off the bench.

If the season is rolling around, and Dikembe Mutombo is still sitting at home, I can't say I'd be dissapointed if he came over for the minimum. I know he's ancient, but he's a character guy and is still plenty capable of grabbing boards, getting blocks, and wagging his finger. Eh, maybe it's a dumb idea, but I like him nonetheless.

Jake Tsakalidis? He's not a top-notch player, but he's serviceable...and 7-2. Not my top choice, but he'd be an all-right guy to spell Dwight here and there.

And last but not least, Chucky Atkins. He's a USF grad, he's a solid all-around player, and I like him. He'd only be a good signing if we sent some guards away in the (possible) sign and trade to Seattle. He does nothing to improve front court depth, but he's one of my all time favorite players and I'd love to see him play for my all-time favorite team.

I know I just compiled an eclectic and slightly ridiculous list, but it's all I could come up with after a brief scan of this year's free agents, without bothering to look up whether or not they are retired or already have agreed to contracts.

Prioritized:

1) Darko
2) Mikki Moore
3) Joe Smith
4) Chucky Atkins
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Ben Q Rock
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3QC
Alphabetically, here are some free-agent big-men. I'll cover each of them in my blog at some point:
P.J. Brown
Melvin Ely
Jamaal Magloire
Mikki Moore
Joe Smith
Anderson Varejao
Jake Voskuhl
Chris Webber
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MAGICMANEVAN
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#1 Magic Fan
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I really think a backup big man is the least of our worries. We might have the answer on our roster already in Kasun, Gortat, or Vazquez.. and thats not even counting Darko who we still might be able to keep....Anyways, after assessing all those guys and if we still have none of them, then we can look at some cheap big guys as Dwights backup. But there are many to choose from and Otis will take care of it. I dont think we should worry about this much.
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TheFalcon
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Air Gortat
As much as I'd like to think that Gortat, Kasun, Vasquez, or Darko will be the answer, I just don't see it. I think the odds that Gortat, Vasquez, or Darko even play here next season are slim to none. Kasun has the best chance to be on the team, but even he is a long shot to be a solid contributor. It seems to me that we desperately need a backup big man, unless we want to rely on Howard and Battie to play 48 minutes a game.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
Ben Q Rock
Jul. 6 2007 05:27 PM
Alphabetically, here are some free-agent big-men. I'll cover each of them in my blog at some point:
P.J. Brown
Melvin Ely
Jamaal Magloire
Mikki Moore
Joe Smith
Anderson Varejao
Jake Voskuhl
Chris Webber

P.J. Brown - oooh. Interesting. I might like it.

Mikki Moore - I was under the impression that he was restricted. But he is a tough player and good around the interior as his FG% shows. However, probably out of our price range.

Anderson Varejao - for what he wants, he is not worth it. If he wanted a smaller amount, I'd still be iffy. Something about this guy just rubs me the wrong way.

Jake Voskuhl - I really don't know enough about him to make a judgment

Chris Webber - wouldn't it be interesting if he ended his career in the town where he was originally drafted? He's getting up there in age, but he can still contribute offensively. I'd be happy.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
MAGICMANEVAN
Jul. 6 2007 09:45 PM
I really think a backup big man is the least of our worries. We might have the answer on our roster already in Kasun, Gortat, or Vazquez.. and thats not even counting Darko who we still might be able to keep....Anyways, after assessing all those guys and if we still have none of them, then we can look at some cheap big guys as Dwights backup. But there are many to choose from and Otis will take care of it. I dont think we should worry about this much.

Well, I hope you're right in the idea that Otis will take care of it and we have nothing to worry about. But I will NOT be holding my breath for Darko or (especially) Vazquez. The inexperience of Kasun and Gortat make me nervous.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
I was reading about the Griz pursuing Michael Sweetney...is he unrestricted? If so, he could be a decent pickup, I remember him playing fairly decent when he was in NY.
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Ben Q Rock
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3QC
The Archduke
Jul. 9 2007 08:16 PM
I was reading about the Griz pursuing Michael Sweetney...is he unrestricted? If so, he could be a decent pickup, I remember him playing fairly decent when he was in NY.

I think his free-agency status is unrestricted, but his access to the breakfast buffet should be restricted. Dude is a WHALE. If he lost some weight, maybe he'd be worth it.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
Ben Q Rock
Jul. 9 2007 09:42 PM
I think his free-agency status is unrestricted, but his access to the breakfast buffet should be restricted. Dude is a WHALE. If he lost some weight, maybe he'd be worth it.

:lol:

On realgm they are saying he's likely headed overseas...and they're finally listing Magloire.
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Ben Q Rock
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3QC
Posted Image
Dude asked for a trade out of New York after Herr Bloomberg imposed the trans-fat ban.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
Ben Q Rock
Jul. 9 2007 10:55 PM
Posted Image
Dude asked for a trade out of New York after Herr Bloomberg imposed the trans-fat ban.

:lol:

I bet we could sign him for the league minimum and three years' supply of Chicken McNuggets.
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Ben Q Rock
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3QC
The Sentinel is now reporting that the Magic have ended their discussions with Marc Cornstein, effectively eliminating any chance that Darko will play for the team next season.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...0,2298616.story

The Magic will now focus on working out an extension for Jameer Nelson.
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The Archduke
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Sixth Man
Ben Q Rock
Jul. 10 2007 04:22 PM
The Sentinel is now reporting that the Magic have ended their discussions with Marc Cornstein, effectively eliminating any chance that Darko will play for the team next season.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...0,2298616.story

The Magic will now focus on working out an extension for Jameer Nelson.

Unfortunate. I was hoping that things would turn around, but it looks lost. Maybe Otis will refocus efforts on other FA bigs for depth.

I'm also happy that we are looking into securing Jameer. I expect big improvement from him this year.
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