<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic's quest for big man turns to Hornets' Brown By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted July 5, 2003 Veteran power forward P.J. Brown has talked for years about a desire to play in Orlando. For years, the Magic have talked about trade attempts to make it happen. Next week, the talking could intensify. Brown, a 33-year-old free agent, will visit Orlando with his wife and meet with Magic officials about the possibility of making it happen, filling a glaring void on the roster. The Magic spent last week meeting with free-agent point guards Antonio Daniels and Speedy Claxton, and next week their focus will turn to the big men they would like to add. "This is something that we [Brown] have talked about for quite a while," said Mark Bartelstein, Brown's agent. "He already has a great feel for the franchise, a lot of respect for it, Doc Rivers and the players there." Bartelstein and Magic General Manager John Gabriel have talked at least once. Because of salary-cap restrictions, the Magic could offer the 6-foot-11 Brown no more than a first-year salary of $4.8 million, which is the same middle-class exception he could get from several other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Magic also are looking seriously at Denver power forward Juwan Howard, 30. He also is considering several teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota and the Lakers. Brown has played the past three seasons with the Hornets, who could offer him more money to stay in New Orleans. The Lakers are looking at several free-agent power forwards, including Karl Malone, Howard and Brown. Brown and Howard would be excellent choices for the Magic, although both likely could find better financial offers elsewhere. That leaves the Magic as a long shot in the chase to sign either one. Bartelstein said he didn't think the $4.8 million exception would be enough for the Magic to sign Brown, although that could be circumvented by a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets. Brown, who could play either center or power forward in the Eastern Conference, has averaged 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks during his career with the New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat and the Hornets. He averaged 10.7 points and nine rebounds last season. He would give the Magic the inside toughness and size they lacked last season. The Magic have Drew Gooden at power forward, which would put Brown in the starting lineup at center. Howard, more of a scorer but a less-reliable defender and rebounder, has averaged 17.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in his nine-year career. Gabriel declined to comment on specific free agents but did say he had a strong interest in both players. "We need help, and we need to address those needs," Gabriel said. "But the competition is very stiff for guys like that." Tim Povtak can be reached at tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com. </div> hopefully we can sign him and twolves could sign howard so that the twolves could get out of the 1st round. i think he'd be a good addition to the magic, he is exactly what we need, a banger that can score. article was at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...ports-headlines
You have 2 young stars: T-Mac and Drew Gooden. So when you look to the future perhaps it is better to add a younger bballer. And PJ is more a PF. The Magic need a C; Gooden is the PF. I would go for Brad Miller. C......Brad Miller PF.....Drew Gooden SF.....T-Mac SG.....Giricek PG...... ?
