<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Craig "Speedy" Claxton was so impressive during the NBA Finals that it made the Orlando Magic cringe. The Magic had targeted Claxton in their search for a point guard long before the free-agency courting period started Tuesday. He is scheduled to visit today. Claxton not only wasn't a secret after helping the San Antonio Spurs win the title, but his price might have gone up. "He played too good," Coach Doc Rivers joked. It's Pick-a-Point-Guard Week for the Magic. Wednesday, they entertained Antonio Daniels, a six-year veteran who played with the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Practically the entire Magic brass -- from General Manager John Gabriel to Rivers and his coaching staff -- was on hand to meet with Daniels, who has the size (6 feet 4) and defensive intensity Rivers is seeking. But like Claxton, he isn't known for his shooting accuracy. Claxton, 25, isn't a big guard at 5-11, 165 pounds. But he's a tenacious waterbug, and it may be no coincidence that he resembles a younger Darrell Armstrong. The Magic need another affordable option even if they sign Daniels, which looks likely. Armstrong, 35, long a Magic fan favorite, is a free agent and no longer a certainty to re-sign. Several teams are interested. Claxton relieved struggling starter Tony Parker in the clinching Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets and outplayed Jason Kidd. He led a fourth-quarter run and finished with 13 points. Claxton has been injury-prone. He missed his rookie season in Philadelphia after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The Sixers traded him to the Spurs last summer, and he missed 48 games with a shoulder injury, averaging six points and 2.5 assists in 30 games. The Magic are looking for a veteran to mentor point guard Reece Gaines, the team's first-round draft choice. Gaines will play in the Magic's summer league, and his first game will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 8 at TD Waterhouse Centre. Whether Gaines will face Cavs phenom LeBron James is still unknown. Apparently, James will not commit to playing until he signs a contract with the club. In other free-agent developments, the Sixers have contacted forward Andrew DeClercq, who played the past three seasons in Orlando. The Magic declined to exercise their option on DeClercq's contract but still hope to re-sign him for less money. Meanwhile, the Magic acknowledged that Senior Vice President Julius Erving has resigned, confirming a June 21 report in the Orlando Sentinel. He had been with the Magic since 1997, primarily working with business planning and mentoring younger players. His contract expired June 30, and the club said it and Erving mutually agreed to part ways. Erving could not be reached for comment. "It made sense for both of us," Magic Chief Operating Officer John Weisbrod said. "Julius is interested in being involved in a couple different things around the country. We enjoyed having him in the organization. We wish him well." </div> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...?coll=orl-magic Hopefully Speedy Claxton will sign rather than Antonio "the bust" Daniels.
