<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic turn attention to free-agent market Second-tier targets With little financial flexibility, the Orlando Magic won?t have much chance for NBA?s top free agents: Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, Eddy Curry and Larry Hughes. Here are five free agents the Magic will likely target when the free-agent courting period opens today. Free agents can?t officially sign until July 22. # Earl Watson, PG, Grizzlies: He?s eager to be a starter and the Magic can give him minutes; a top defender that the Magic need. # Antonio Daniels, PG, Sonics: Magic also wanted him two years ago, but came up just short; he also longs to be a starter. # Marco Jaric, PG, Clippers: When healthy he?s proven capable of running a team; he can shoot and his size is a plus. # Jerome James, C, Sonics: Likely played his way into a big contract in the playoffs; worth a shot since he?s a Tampa native. # Darrell Armstrong, PG, Mavericks: Still a fan favorite in Orlando; showed with Mavs he can contribute in limited minutes. -- John Denton, FLORIDA TODAY </div> Source <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NBA teams can begin courting free agents today, and power forwards Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Udonis Haslem are among several players who interest the Orlando Magic. League sources say Abdur-Rahim -- a nine-year veteran who played for the Portland Trail Blazers last season -- is on the Magic's wish list. Abdur-Rahim, 28, began his career playing for Magic Coach Brian Hill with the Grizzlies in Vancouver and is represented by Aaron Goodwin, who also is Magic forward Dwight Howard's agent. Goodwin did not return calls Thursday to comment. Selected to the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, Abdur-Rahim, 6 feet 9 and 230 pounds, averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with the Trail Blazers last season. Haslem, 25, a former Florida Gator coming off a breakthrough season (10.9 points and 9.1 rebounds) with the Miami Heat, is a restricted free agent. That means Miami can match a deal a team extends to the 6-9, 245-pound Haslem, but the Heat might not be willing to compete with serious bidders. The Heat drafted forward Wayne Simien in case they could not re-sign Haslem. The Magic also are believed to be interested in, among others: Grizzlies point guard Earl Watson, Seattle SuperSonics point guard Antonio Daniels, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Marko Jaric (restricted), Toronto Raptors small forward Donyell Marshall, Washington Wizards shooting guard Juan Dixon, Utah Jazz shooting guard Raja Bell and power forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who already has been released by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Already far over the cap, the Magic can use their mid-level exception (starting at more than $5 million) and the veteran's minimum ($1 million) to sign players. Teams can't sign free agents until July 22.</div> Source I would love to get Udonis Haslem or Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Both would be excellent power forwards to play next to Dwight Howard. Maybe we would sign one of them a two year deal that way Fran Vazquez has time to develop and not get rushed into the starting lineup.
I believe if they bring back Darrell Armstrong it will be nothing more than a mentor role for young Jameer Nelson. He does not have much left in the tank to make any big impact on the franchise. Armstrong left Orlando on bitter terms considering he wanted to stay. However, the team did not want to give him a multiple year contract, which was something Armstrong was looking for. It seems like the magic love small guards Armstrong is another smaller guard who is at the end of his career it is more of a respect jester than actual signing. Antonio Daniels, I have said previously in many different boards on this forum, is one of the biggest sleepers in this year?s free agent market. He could really make a huge impact for whatever team he decides to sign with he is a NBA champion has excellent ball handling abilities and plays consistent defense for teams. He would give us a guy who can lead though I am sure Jameer does not lack that quality if we make it into the playoffs having a battle tested leader at the point spot would help there chances of advancing. Earl Watson, am I the only one that finds this odd? I have no idea were that came from he is another guard who is under sized at 6-1 I guess the Magic are looking to make a collection. The only two of the four guards the Magic have said they are targeting exceeds the height of 6-3, and that is Daniels and Jaric. Watson unlike Armstrong could not offer veteran leadership either so there is no up side to signing him in my mind. Jerome James I thought we would target, but like I mentioned before big payday? No! He has not even played a decent season yet only one playoff series against a team with no inside presence considering Miller was hurting. Should we offer him the full mid level exception? I'm a little skeptical about that. Though I heard in the Seattle Sonics forum he said he was going to whatever team offered him the most money. Marco Jaric is the biggest guard the Magic is targeting at 6-7, and also in my mind the biggest long shot. He is a restricted free agent, and plays for the Clippers the Clippers can match any offer to any player they would like will they? That is a different story. I have heard he is receiving interest from the Lakers, and the chances of him relocating when a team right across the street would be willing to offer him a contract seem slim to none in my mind. I do not see them getting Shareef do to the many teams targeting him Nets head coach Frank Lawrence already began speaking about a deal with Shareef shortly after the clock struck midnight. Haslem would be a interesting scenario I do not see the Heat letting him go or him wanting to leave a contending organization with Jones opting out of his deal that is all the more room to resign Haslem to there team. However, if he was leaving I am sure he would consider the Magic since he would not have to relocate a long distance from South Beach.
Haslem next to Dwight would be an awesome 1-2 punch. Dwight can take care of the offense, while Haslem does the dirty work and has his back. They've both got mean streaks, too. That'd be a great combo for u guys
I like Danials the best, but if we could get SAR plus Danials then i would be very happy. If we could do a sign and trade with Portland for maybe Kato or Doug for SAR. Other Free Agents I would want would be Flip Maury, Reggie Evans from Supersonics. Luke Walton a big point guard and doesnt need to shoot can just pass to Dwight.
