<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic look to add 2 starters to their roster By Brian Schmitz Orlando Magic General Manager John Gabriel said Monday that he "can't rule out" the possibility of Grant Hill missing all of next season and the club applying for a disabled player exception. It is just one sensitive scenario facing Hill and the Magic this summer pending medical evaluations of Hill and then approval by the league. "I can't rule it out," Gabriel said. "But we're only finally getting to the point we can evaluate Grant, post-surgery." Hill underwent another surgery on his troublesome left ankle March 18, his fourth operation since he signed a seven-year, $92-million contract with the Magic in 2000. But until the team, its physicians and Hill's doctor meet to advise Hill on what course to take, the Magic are left in a familiar holding pattern. Gabriel said he doesn't know what sign the doctors will eventually give Hill -- a green light (play), a yellow caution (return at some point in the season) or stop (sit out the year). Hill indicated toward the end of the regular season that he wanted to come back and play at some point -- even if he had to endure a fourth surgery. But Gabriel also acknowledges that Hill's last surgery was the most extensive and might require more recovery time. Vinnie Hudson, Hill's physical therapist, said during the Magic's recent playoff series that Hill was not able to put weight on his left leg. Hill could not be reached for comment. The Magic wonder if Hill's rehabilitation could take longer. Surgeons needed to break Hill's heel bone and realigned his left leg in addition to addressing the fracture site. Hill turned to another doctor, James Nunley, of Duke University, Hill's alma mater. "I don't know if anybody in the league has ever had done what Grant has had done," Gabriel said. Most sources close to the Magic doubt that Hill could be ready for training camp in October. The Magic clearly want to avoid repeating a similar pattern of the past three seasons in which Hill started the season, reinjured himself and drifted in and out of their plans before eventually undergoing surgery. Hill has played only 47 games the past three seasons -- 29 last season. "Unlike other years," Gabriel said, "we'd very much would like Grant Hill and his representatives and our guys to determine what's the best direction, the best timetable. . . . be it Christmas, the end of the year or not at all. We're in uncharted waters. We don't want to go down this road again." Gabriel said he expects the parties to set up a consultation within the next week to begin determining Hill's status. *****For the Magic, the sooner, the better: They could apply to the league for a medical exception and, if it is granted, have the salary room available to perhaps pursue a free agent in July.***** "They haven't applied for it yet," said Mike Broeker, an NBA spokesman, from his New York office on Monday. "The Magic can apply if it's determined Grant will miss the season." Once the Magic apply for the medical exception, an independent doctor designated by the league will evaluate the situation and make a recommendation. The Miami Heat won a medical exception for the 2000-20001 season after Alonzo Morning was ruled out with a kidney disease, and used it to sign Cedric Ceballos. And since it was determined before the season that Mourning was medically unable to play, Mourning was allowed to return at the end of the season after he recovered significantly. Hill could make a similar, belated return. If Hill sits out the season, or a portion of it, and the league grants the exception, the Magic could receive an equivalent to the middle-class exception -- expected to be anywhere from $4.6-$5 million -- to sign another player or trade for another player. With their regular mid-level exception of roughly $4.6 million and a veteran's exception of $1.2 million also coming to them, the Magic feel they could upgrade their starting lineup with the three transactions. It could be as close to a win-win situation that Hill and the Magic can get in his medical saga.</div> Add that to this: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic look to add 2 starters to their roster By Brian Schmitz Should the Orlando Magic receive a medical exception for Grant Hill next season, they triple their chances of acquiring some solid players through free agency and/or trades. Veteran big men Brad Miller, Michael Olowokandi, P.J. Brown, Elden Campbell, Juwan Howard and Derrick Coleman plus aging stars Gary Payton and Scottie Pippen might not be out of reach if the Magic have two $4.6 million exceptions to offer. All are free agents. If it is decided Hill won't play next season -- a scenario Magic General Manager John Gabriel won't rule out -- the club could have three exceptions available: Hill's disabled player's exception (about $4.6 million), a middle-class exception (about $4.6 million) and a veteran's exception ($1.2 million). The NBA doesn't allow a team to combine the exceptions toward the signing of a star free agent. The Magic couldn't add them up and, say, offer Indiana Pacers star Jermaine O'Neal a contract starting at $10 million next season. But teams can split a $4.6 exception between two players, as the Magic did when they signed Horace Grant and Patrick Ewing two seasons ago. If they are granted a medical exception for Hill, the Magic could use it in a trade without having to include any other players that usually are needed to balance the books. One such rumored scenario for Orlando could involve Golden State big man Adonal Foyle. The Magic likely need two starters -- a point guard and a center -- and they'll need to add more talented and athletic role players. The Detroit Pistons exposed Orlando's depth in a seven-game playoff series victory. The Magic would like to stay relatively young, and will try to find a point guard in a guard-heavy NBA draft. Payton still is intriguing at 34, although he likely can earn more than $4.6 million elsewhere. Centers such as the Pacers' Miller and the Clippers' Olowokandi also could command more in the market, but sometimes players misjudge the market and end up taking less. The Magic and Brown have had their eyes on each other for years. But the Lakers may emerge as the Magic's chief competition for Brown if L.A. can't land Karl Malone. Howard would be a steal for Orlando for the middle-class exception. Magic Coach Doc Rivers was a huge Andre Miller fan when Miller played point guard with Cleveland. But his game has slipped, and he will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Clippers can match any offer. The Magic could use their $1.2 million exception to pick up backup guards such as Antonio Daniels, Rod Strickland or Kenny Anderson. Orlando also could use another wingman after the loss of Hill and the trade of Mike Miller. Other free agents who could be available include center Radoslav Nesterovic, power forwards Gary Trent, Tyrone Hill and Charles Oakley, small forwards Darvin Ham, Kendall Gill and Stephen Jackson and guards Speedy Claxton and Jimmy Jackson.</div> Although I don't think it's wise of Orlando to bring in another PF like P.J. Brown or Juwon Howard in light of the trade for Gooden I am glad to see that there is some light on the horizon for the Magic.
lets hope it doesn't come to that tho - grant hill's one of the good guys in the league and another season ending injury would likely finish his career
i think what hill needs to do is sit out a season, get healthy and rehab the whole season and 2 offseasons and in 2 years hopefully he will be completely healthy instead of the magic rushing him back. (that and the magic could get someone else while still having hill ) it would be great for the magic, IMO.
