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Big men: Rumors and Updates; Not trading Turk, Gortat on roster 07-08
Topic Started: Jul 17 2007, 12:23 PM (2,631 Views)
NYCMagicFan
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Ma...s?urn=nba,39469

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The Magic, with nothing but the veteran minimum to offer, are keeping a close eye on power forward/center P.J. Brown, who played in Chicago last season but still is considering retirement. He won't be returning to the Bulls. They also might want to try to talk Antonio Davis out of retirement.



Topic edited - MME
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MAGICMANEVAN
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http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/471...land_off_table/
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Sports Tribune -
Weeks ago, Portland and Orlando executives discussed a trade that would have sent center Joel Przybilla to the Magic for small forward Hedo Turkoglu, but it’s not going to happen.

“We have no interest in trading Turkoglu,” says Dave Twardzik, Orlando’s director of player personnel.

“We intend to keep Joel,” Portland General Manager Kevin Pritchard says. “You can’t have too many quality bigs.”
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MAGICMANEVAN
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-...rl_tab02_layout
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We've decided to keep him (Gortat) here instead of sending him back to Europe again,'' said Magic general manager Otis Smith. "We think he'll develop faster here, and we want to see what he can do for us. We think he can become an NBA player.''

The Magic also have decided to keep power forward James Augustine for a second season and bring him to training camp. They have an option to void at least part of the second year of his contract if they waive him by August 1, but they have decided against exercising that option.

In five Summer League games, Gortat averaged 10 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. He has played the past two seasons in Germany, along with playing for the Polish National team.

Great news!! We needed a big man and now we got it. I really love what little i have seen of his game. I really think he will do the things we lost from Darko going to Memphis. Hes a jumpshooter, can rebound well - at least better than Darko, hes a good blocker, very very quick foot speed, and a good defender. I really think his energy could also be a huge spark for the team; i know he will turn into a fan favorite.
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CLos
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We also need to bring in Vasquez.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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That wont happen this season, maybe in the future. His buyout is huge and his contract doesnt end for a few seasons.
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dxwwf3
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PJ Brown would be awesome, but I think Gorat will be able to fill in for Darko somewhat.
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The Archduke
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Gortat and Augustine are the potential future...at least for depth. PJ Brown would be a LOVELY pickup. That kind of experience and leadership could do tremendous things for those two in helping them adapt to the NBA game.
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gomagic33
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If Marcin Gortat develops into Anderson Varejao-clone that would really be awesome. Minus the hair and the flops though. :yes:
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Black and Blue
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Yes! Marcin!

Hope we get PJ. That would make this offseason really look like it paid off and we'd get a better presence than Darko (minus the 'potential' factor)
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GoMaGicVR6
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great news
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NYCMagicFan
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FULL Article

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The Orlando Magic finished their shopping spree last week at Saks Fifth Avenue when they landed upscale free agent Rashard Lewis.

Now they will visit Twice Is Nice, the secondhand thrift store in the old-style strip mall to complete their roster.

The free agents available are those on the other end of the spectrum. Compared to Lewis, it's like picking through the closeout rack at the flea market. Like drafting in the second round, the goal now is to find something clean and serviceable after the best players already have been picked over. 

The Magic aren't looking for stars anymore, just someone to carry the stars' bags.

"We're just looking for a little insurance now," Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. "Sometimes you have to wait and see what falls to you."

The Magic already have decided to bring back second-year power forward James Augustine and to sign center Marcin Gortat of Poland, who played the past two seasons in Europe, hoping they can provide some much-needed frontcourt depth.

With the loss of free agents Grant Hill (Phoenix) and Darko Milicic (Memphis) and the likelihood of not re-signing Bo Outlaw and Travis Diener, the Magic would have 13 players under contract. With two roster spots open, the most glaring need is another veteran big man who can provide some experience and reliability behind Dwight Howard and Tony Battie.

There still are good free agents available, but the Magic don't have much room under the salary cap to sign them, with only the NBA veteran minimum ($1.2 million) to offer them.

Free agents such as Anderson Varejao, Chris Mihm, Andray Blatche, P.J. Brown and Chris Webber are looking for teams. But they are either restricted free agents, which means their current teams can match offers to keep them, or they will command considerably more than the minimum.

It's more likely the Magic will be left to choose among Michael Olowokandi, Calvin Booth, Pat Burke, Kelvin Cato, Vitaly Potapenko, Brian Skinner, Iakovos Tsakalidis, Scot Pollard and Mike Sweetney. And many of those will be gone before the Magic can get into the bidding.

"If you wait, the market will dictate who you get sometimes," Smith said. "You just have to be patient, making sure you get a guy that fits with what you have. We've got a pretty good core. We're just looking for another piece or two for insurance."

The Magic also still have the option of making a trade for a backup big man on another roster, offering one of their backup guards, such as Keith Bogans, Carlos Arroyo or Keyon Dooling. Or they could use those players in a sign-and-trade for one of the better free agents available.

After Gortat, they likely will sign one more player this summer; that way, there will be one roster spot open to help attract some quality veteran free agents to training camp. Many teams will open training camp with at least 15 guaranteed contracts, which discourages the better free agents from coming.
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Magic Buddy
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It's more likely the Magic will be left to choose among Michael Olowokandi, Calvin Booth, Pat Burke, Kelvin Cato, Vitaly Potapenko, Brian Skinner, Iakovos Tsakalidis, Scot Pollard and Mike Sweetney. And many of those will be gone before the Magic can get into the bidding.


Just bring Cato back. Big body, rebound, block shots, plays a little defense and will be cheaper this time around.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/...on_N.htm?csp=34
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Polish center Marcin Gortat, who impressed with his strong play last week in the Pepsi Pro Summer League, will apparently get his wish to play in the NBA for the Orlando Magic .

Gortat pined for the chance to play for the Magic, and earned it with some aggressive play in the summer league. He led the league in blocked shots, averaging 3.2 a game.

Also an issue is Gortat's contract in Germany. Per the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Magic can offer up to $500,000 to cover the buyout. The German contract is not expected to stand in the way of Gortat reaching his dream of playing in the NBA.

Magic general manager Otis Smith informed the 7-foot, 240-pound center that franchise officials want him on the roster this season. Contract talks are in the works, and the deal is expected to be for one year with an option for a second season.

Magic are also considering whether to retain power forward James Augustine, a second-round pick from 2006. Augustine's option has to be picked up by July 31 to make his $687,456 deal fully guaranteed
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The Archduke
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" Michael Olowokandi, Calvin Booth, Pat Burke, Kelvin Cato, Vitaly Potapenko, Brian Skinner, Iakovos Tsakalidis, Scot Pollard and Mike Sweetney."

Wow. Is P.J. Brown really going to demand a bunch of money?

Let's see -

1. Kandi - He's a pretty good rebounder, but this guy is arguably the biggest bust since Pervis Ellison. Still, he's been around. I wouldn't be against it. And once again, like Joe Smith, here's a guy that was once a #1 overall pick.

2. Calvin Booth - Personally, I'd rather take my chances with Augustine and Gortat. I mean, they're pretty much more athletic and have about the same experience.

3. Burke - Ahh, the Pat Burke nostalgia. I wouldn't be against this, really, but I doubt he'd be beating out Augie by midseason.

4. Cato - Wow. More nostalgia. I like him better than both Booth or Burke. It'd be a fun reuniting....and it would make us trading for Darko originally look even more dumb. But hey, let's move on!

5. Potapenko - my first thought was, "This guy is still in the league?" So I look him up....well, he's still cashing a paycheck. He's experienced, and maybe he can even help Gortat with his transition, but we're really scraping the bottom of the barrel with this guy, who's gotten scant minutes the past two seasons in Sactown.

6. Pollard - I wouldn't mind this at all. He, like Potapenko, has lost considerable minutes, but he'd be used here. A decent defender and solid rebounder. He's looking a bit like Jesus in his last picture...so maybe it's a sign?

7. Skinner - Probably the guy I like MOST on this list. An aggressive rebounder. Would fill a role quite nicely and help bring Augie and Gorty along at a better learning pace. I'd be quite happy if he was brought in.

8. Sweetney - In New York, he showed some flashes of being a solid interior player, with decent moves in the paint and a good knack for rebounding. In Chicago, he looks more like he's learned some fancy moves around the buffet table. But if he can keep that weight in check, he could be a good signing. He's a bit smallish for my taste (height wise, being only 6-8), but his girth (270 and climbing) makes up for it.

9. Tsakalidis - he seems a decent rebounder, but I just get a little wary about this guy for some reason. I wouldn't be completely against it, but like Burke, Potapenko, and Booth, I don't think he'd be able to get in ahead of Augie and Gorty.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/472..._trade_for_big/
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The Magic have decided to keep James Augustine for a second season. They still have an option to void at least part of his contract if they waive him by Aug. 1, but they have decided against exercising that option.

"What we do [the rest of the summer] may impact the roster, or it may not," Smith said. "There are all types of names out there right now."


Quote:
 
The Magic have the option of making a trade for a backup big man on another roster, offering one of their backup guards, such as Keith Bogans, Carlos Arroyo or Keyon Dooling. Or they could use those players in a sign-and-trade for one of the better free agents available.
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