Paul Pierce Gerald Wallace Kirk Hinrich Lebron James Josh Howard Dirk Nowitzki Carmelo Anthony Chauncey Billups Dwayne Wade T.J Ford Maurice Williams Vince Carter Mike Bibby Luke Ridnour Chris Bosh Antwain Jamison That sounds like an All Star Game. No it?s just the Shopping List the Orlando Magic has put themselves in. The above players are who will be coming into free agency at the end of the 06-07 season. The 2007 offseason could turn into the biggest in history and has the potential to shake the foundation of the NBA for the next decade. With the best draft class in recent years in 2003 coming out of contract at the same time, some fantastic young talent will be available, including Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Lebron James. The List also includes Dirk Nowitzki and Chauncey Billups who are top runners in the MVP list this year. Add in the UNC teammates Antwain Jamison and Vince Carter and some big names with Ridnour, Pierce, Bibby and Howard and it looks to be an action packed off season. By getting the expiring contract of Penny Hardaway, the Orlando Magic has a 15 million dollar increase in salary cap space. Who could they get with that kind of money? Anyone in that top category who wants to play with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, it?s that simple. They could bring in a Lebron James and have an inside outside combo that could run through the decade. Or would Dwayne Wade be better? Oh how about Carmelo Anthony? Its amazing the freedom this gives Orlando magic in the future. Not only should you look for Orlando to make a move, but any disgruntled star looking for that elusive championship will be surely looking at another team with interest. All these players will be free agents come the end of next season. Who will move? Who won?t move? It?s just a matter of wondering. Another team on top of this list is Chicago. They will have a drop of 24 million dollars in the salary cap from 2006-07. Mr. Jordan was earning over 30 million dollars a year in his last 2 seasons as a Bull. If Lebron keeps improving the way he has and Cleveland doesn?t feel like the best place to be, Chicago has more then enough room and players around to send him to the championship. Or would the Bulls rather a Dirk Nowitzki or even a Chris Bosh to build around a big man. Just skim over that list above and think about how big an off-season this will not only be for basketball, but sportswriters and analysts all over the world. Sports center will go crazy and this is all good for basketball. Toronto, Atlanta, New Orleans and Utah are all in the same position here with some salary cap room. Who will move? Who won't? Who will stay? Give me your opinion!
The Magic have enough money to get either one of the top tier free agents on that list, or potentially two of the "lesser" ones. When do Howard and Nelson contracts expire? We're gonna have to resign them to large deal with Bird rights. Hopefully it's before we make a big acquisition with our newly found cap flexibility.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chuck:</div><div class="quote_post">The Magic have enough money to get either one of the top tier free agents on that list, or potentially two of the "lesser" ones. When do Howard and Nelson contracts expire? We're gonna have to resign them to large deal with Bird rights. Hopefully it's before we make a big acquisition with our newly found cap flexibility.</div> They both expire the year after.
The problem is that most of the players mentioned above are their team's franchise players. They'll be very hard to sign. Paul Pierce - Probably won't Gerald Wallace - Maybe Yes Kirk Hinrich - Maybe Yes Lebron James - Never Josh Howard - Maybe Yes Dirk Nowitzki - Never Carmelo Anthony - Never Chauncey Billups -Never Dwayne Wade - Never T.J Ford - Maybe Yes Maurice Williams - Possible Vince Carter - Probably won't Mike Bibby - Probably won't Luke Ridnour - Possible Chris Bosh - Never Antwain Jamison - Maybe Yes
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WadeDynasty:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem is that most of the players mentioned above are their team's franchise players. They'll be very hard to sign. Paul Pierce - Probably won't Dont Be So Sure Gerald Wallace - Maybe Yes Kirk Hinrich - Maybe Yes Lebron James - Never On this one either Josh Howard - Maybe Yes Dirk Nowitzki - Never Carmelo Anthony - Never Chauncey Billups -Never Dwayne Wade - Never Depends on Shaq T.J Ford - Maybe Yes Maurice Williams - Possible Vince Carter - Probably won't He wanted out of Toronto, Kidds getting older Mike Bibby - Probably won't Luke Ridnour - Possible Chris Bosh - Never Its Toronto...... Antwain Jamison - Maybe Yes</div> Paul Pierce - Probably won't Dont Be So Sure Lebron James - Never On this one either Dwayne Wade - Never Depends on Shaq Vince Carter - Probably won't He wanted out of Toronto, Kidds getting older Chris Bosh - Never Its Toronto...... Nothings Impossible, I thought Mohammad Ali wouldve told you that already lol. Howard and Nelson are both there for another year before their contracts expire and getting a Lebron is something theyll want to stick around for, if they can get him!
Orlando definitely has a bright future and made a few nimble trades prior to the tradeline by trading francis and getting milicic and arroyo...I like the direction they're going...
Wow THe Magic could make a good run at LeBron. I wouldn't be surprised at all if LeBron bolted out of Cleveland. LeBron James and Dwight Howard? That could be the next big thing. It scares me just thinking about it. I am positive at least one of those guys will head to Orlando and when I see LeBron James name it looks very very possible. Keep your hands off Wade though.
1st off Billups will proabably get a extension @ the end of the offseason hence the darko deal 2nd i think theres a chance for everyone on that list exept for bosh(will say why later) to sign because once shaq retieres dwight will most likly be the best big man in the league and everyone sees how big men make players better and win titles and a lot of those guys will be about 29-31 @ the time and there careers are winding down and they proabably want a title ok now bosh they both play the same position. unless howard wants to play center thats the only way i see anything with bosh happeneing but who knows also is this just your opinion or is this a article?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow THe Magic could make a good run at LeBron. I wouldn't be surprised at all if LeBron bolted out of Cleveland. LeBron James and Dwight Howard? That could be the next big thing. It scares me just thinking about it. I am positive at least one of those guys will head to Orlando and when I see LeBron James name it looks very very possible. Keep your hands off Wade though.</div> How about the King comes to Miami? HAha I know I'm dreaming
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thedude9990:</div><div class="quote_post">1st off Billups will proabably get a extension @ the end of the offseason hence the darko deal 2nd i think theres a chance for everyone on that list exept for bosh(will say why later) to sign because once shaq retieres dwight will most likly be the best big man in the league and everyone sees how big men make players better and win titles and a lot of those guys will be about 29-31 @ the time and there careers are winding down and they proabably want a title ok now bosh they both play the same position. unless howard wants to play center thats the only way i see anything with bosh happeneing but who knows also is this just your opinion or is this a article?</div> Howard could play a center and Bosh a forward. Billups most likely will sign an extension. Its my opinion. Thought how come they gave up Steve Francis so easily after they traded Mr McGrady for him last time.
Josh Howard or Al Harrington would be great fits for this team. Another bargain would be pursuing Pietrus out of Golden State.
Getting Pietrus or Howard, in addition to another two or three mid-level guys would make for a great offseason here. I'm not sure whether LeBron would want to come here (if he leaves Cleveland), or if he'd try and latch on to a 'Championship - NOW!' team that he can ruin the chemistry of. Spurs or Pistons just don't seem like good suitors for James, do they?
Oh ya, I know their will be some upsets this off-season. I can't wait! out of the players mentioned at least 3 of them want a new environment AT LEAST! LeBron GO TO ATLANTA! I would love this.
Teams like Charlotte and New Orleans have a shiteload of spare coin to splash at FA's too, so it's not like Orlando will have prime choice of all the free agents.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Teams like Charlotte and New Orleans have a shiteload of spare coin to splash at FA's too, so it's not like Orlando will have prime choice of all the free agents.</div> Charlotte and New Orleans arent really contenders at the moment so id doubt anyone would head straight there, unless Chris Paul, Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor can prove me wrong! <div class="quote_poster">Quoting NTC187:</div><div class="quote_post">LeBron will stay with Cleveland dont you think?</div> 50/50 for me. Depends how much Cleveland can offer him as well as whats on the market. If cleveland can keep rolling and even begin making a bigger run at playoffs he will for sure stay. One thing worrys me, they need another big man because Zydronas Illgauskas (for sure i spelt that wrong) is getting older, and the question mark on Larry Hughes being Lebrons right hand man is another. Places like Orlando would have a young Big man in Howard and an up coming guard in Nelson could be potentially his side kick. This is all theory so dont quote me on it lol.
Once again, Isiah gives another team to completely rebuild, get better, and sign free agents to totally transform their Franchise. Isiah should be GM of the year for all the contribution he has given to other teams in the NBA.
I like what Orlando is doing. They got Mlicic who even if he doesn't turn out spectacular is still a solid pickup to go alongside Howard. And with Howard, who is the best young PF in the game, anything can happen with that team. He can carry them very far in my opinion. They don't need a lot of flashy Free Agent signings, just a solid defensive one ( Gerald Wallace) and some good draft picks for a sg. Then their lineup would be PG- Nelson SG- Draft pick Sf- Wallace PF- Mlicic C-Howard That is a good young lineup
