<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Point guard Jameer Nelson was a big part of the Magic's red-carpet rollout this month that helped convince free-agent forward Rashard Lewis that Orlando was the place to be for the next several years. Nelson now wants to know if he is part of that future. With Lewis delivered and center Dwight Howard recently signing his five-year contract extension, the Magic turned their attention to Nelson, who is hoping to land his own long-term deal. Magic General Manager Otis Smith flew to Philadelphia this weekend to meet with Steve Mountain, Nelson's agent, to spark negotiations on a possible contract extension. He returned without a deal, or the prospect of one anytime soon. "It went well,'' said Smith, who was back in his office Monday. "We'll continue to talk. That's a good sign. But this is not something that has to be done yesterday. If it makes [financial] sense, we'll do it. If not, we won't.'' Like Howard, Nelson came into the league with the 2004 draft. He is eligible this summer to sign an extension to his original rookie contact, which will begin with the 2008-09 season. If an extension isn't signed by Oct. 31, he will play next season as a restricted free agent, able to negotiate next summer with any team, although the Magic still will have the right of first refusal on any offer he receives. Unlike Howard or Lewis, Nelson doesn't have great leverage, coming off a mediocre season in which he averaged 13 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 turnovers. He shot a career low 43 percent from the field. With Lewis now in the lineup, Nelson will be expected to adjust his game, making sure that Lewis and Howard become the focal point of the offense. Before signing him, the Magic might want to see how Nelson adapts to that new role. Although Smith has been one of Nelson's biggest backers, and new Coach Stan Van Gundy has been supportive, previous coach Brian Hill wasn't convinced that Nelson was the team's point guard of the future. "This summer, I'm just working hard to try and make myself a better player, to improve my game'' Nelson said Monday from Philadelphia. "The business side will take care of itself. There is nothing for me to discuss. You have to call my agent about that.'' Mountain did not return a phone message to talk about any contract extension for Nelson, who became the Magic's starting point guard late in the 2006 season after Steve Francis was traded. Earlier this month, free agent point guard Mo Williams agreed to a six-year, $52 million deal with Milwaukee, preventing him from leaving the Bucks for the Miami Heat. Free agent point guard Steve Blake, who played in Denver last season, recently signed a three-year $12 million deal with Portland. Neither Smith nor Nelson would comment on any specifics, but the numbers being discussed likely are in the huge gap between the other two point guards, something closer to the four-year $24 million that point guard Luke Ridnour received in Seattle last summer. "We're talking and going through concepts now,'' Smith said. "If a deal gets done, we'll move forward. If it doesn't get done, we'll still move forward. It has to work for both sides.'' For that 2008-09 season, the Magic will be paying Howard $13 million and Lewis $17.2 million. They also will have Hedo Turkoglu ($6.8 million) and Tony Battie ($5.7 million) still making very significant money. Overpaying Nelson would restrict salary-cap flexibility. Under his rookie contract, Nelson will make $1.9 million next season. Although he has said he would like an extension this summer, he was more interested Monday in talking about the addition of Lewis than any new contract for himself. "Rashard changes the dynamics of our team. It makes us a lot better,'' said Nelson, who escorted Lewis around Orlando during his first visit. "Having him now, it takes a lot of pressure off both Dwight and me. He is a great athlete who can run and do a lot of things. He's versatile. Having him and Dwight together is a blessing. It's going to help everyone out there.''</div> Source: Orlando Sentinel
I like this part of the article: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With Lewis now in the lineup, Nelson will be expected to adjust his game, making sure that Lewis and Howard become the focal point of the offense. Before signing him, the Magic might want to see how Nelson adapts to that new role.</div> Smart move, in my opinion. See how he adapts, if at all, then make a judgement based on that.
May as well sign him with Bird Rights since we won't be able to sign anyone else. Who do you think we will get with the MLE?
Man don't sign him to that big of a contract. I don't think he deserves a lot but 5-6 mil a yr is fine.
I dont care how much. Where gonna be in cap hell for a while anyways. So lets hurry up and sign him or were gonna lose him next year to Philly.
