Orlando Magic News for July 2nd: Maggette Close to Signing with Spurs (!)

by Ben Q Rock on Jul 2, 2008 1:01 AM EDT in News

Quick free-agency notes before I head to bed. Freaking bombshell leads us off:

Adrian Wojnarowski has the upsetting news that the San Antonio Spurs are the "front-runners" to sign Corey Maggette. The most the Spurs can offer is the mid-level exception, which happens to be what the Magic can offer. Maybe Maggette will become the first-ever star-caliber player to take a paycut to play on a contending team. Every team in the league will look silly if Maggette indeed signs with the Spurs, but especially the Magic, who are both title-contenders (or would be, if Maggette took the mid-level with them) and play where he started his career.
- Just another reason to hate the Spurs. As if we needed any more. I feel like vomiting.
- And another reason for some people to hate Otis Smith, who hasn't showed much gumption lately, what with staying-pat at the trading deadline and on draft night. Thing is, Otis has displayed aggression before: last summer, he landed two great coaching candidates (Billy Donovan and Stan Van Gundy) and won the services of the best-available free agent (Rashard Lewis). So it's possible he could change Corey's mind... but I doubt it.
Sean Deveney of The Sporting News says free-agent point guard Chris Duhon will meet with Magic officials today after spending yesterday in New York with Knicks brass. I imagine he's Orlando's safety valve at backup point guard, a contingency in case incumbent backup Keyon Dooling bolts for more money. For what it's worth, Dooling told John Denton that Orlando is "first choice if all the stars align, but in free agency you have a duty to see what value is out there."
Brian Schmitz, who spoke to Magic GM Otis Smith, says the team will likely divide the midlevel exception in two:
Smith said the club likely will split the $6 million-per-year midlevel exception, meaning they will spend about $3 million apiece on two role players instead of giving it all to one.

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Jesus, I hope this is a joke. If Maggette signs with the Spurs it may completly change my view of Otis Smith. How could he let him go to the Spurs???

by magic fanatic on Jul 2, 2008 1:18 AM EDT 0 recs

How could any GM let him go to the Spurs?

It makes everyone look bad.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jul 2, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

... I wouldn’t put all the blame on Otis. This is where Dwight, ‘Shard, and Turk need to become avid recruiters and go after guys like Maggette.

Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University

by erivera7 on Jul 2, 2008 1:39 AM EDT 0 recs

For all we know, those guys are all on vacation. Hopefully they have their cell phones with them.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jul 2, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hope so too … I mean, come on. If I was Maggette, no disrespect to the Spurs but we have a much wider window to win a championship. The core of the Spurs are beginning to get old compared to our team, where all our main guys are under 30. Granted, they’re more ready to win a title now compared to us but he can easily swing the pendulum our way if he were to sign with us.

/endrant

Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University

by erivera7 on Jul 2, 2008 3:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

At least we know this much

If we somehow sign Maggette, it won’t mean losing Hedo. The Clippers can’t afford to bring Maggette back now that they’ve agreed to sign Baron Davis, and are expected to re-sign Elton Brand. So we’ll either get Maggette outright or we’ll lose him to one of the league’s elite teams… or, if he cares more about money, to Memphis or to Philadelphia.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jul 2, 2008 1:46 AM EDT 0 recs

If Otis doesn’t sign Maggette and another title contender signs him for the MLE, this offseason will be considered a failure in my opinion. I’ll be stunned.

I still think he’s gonna make a deal for more money in Philly.

by magic fanatic on Jul 2, 2008 2:13 AM EDT 0 recs

I'm not surprised...

I never really expected Maggette to come to play for the Magic anyhow. Just because the Magic won’t be signing him, it’s too early yet to call this off-season a failure for Otis Smith.

Smith says that he wants to split the MLE between two players. Let’s hope he has a definite plan in mind of who to go after.

by Mike from Illinois on Jul 2, 2008 2:48 AM EDT 0 recs

Well, I think it’s safe to say Dooling is one of those guys, and if not, Duhon is Plan B. Pietrus is another option, obviously. I think we’ll be fine getting some backups, but man … getting Maggette sure would be nice, realistic or not.

Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University

by erivera7 on Jul 2, 2008 3:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

The Spurs are a much better fit. Still, the Magic need to go into full sales mode and give it their best shot.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Jul 2, 2008 7:08 AM EDT 0 recs

first, i think everyone needs to chill. even though a lineup of jameer, maggette, hedo, rashard and dwight is enough to make us all salivate at the mouth, let’s review for a bit.

1 – otis has already said that he eants to split the MLE between two players. Given this teams many needs, you really can’t fault this logic.

2 – and more importantly – maggette’s greatest asset is his ability to get to the free throw line (9.7 per game – Dwight was 2nd in the league I think at 10.9). this means he needs the ball to be effective. With Dwight getting the ball in the post (more often then last year hopefully), hedo and rashard popping/driving, and jameer doing his thing, where are the shots going to come from?

3 – it is absolutely crucial that the Magic keep salary cap flexibility in the future to keep Dwight happy. We already have it bad enough with Rashard and Jameer. Signing Maggette to a 4-5 year deal at the MLE would do a lot to tie us up even more for when we need to re-sign Hedo.

all that being said, if maggette were to want to come for the MLE for 3-4 years, I do it in a heart beat. i just think that the idea that this would be a failed summer without signing maggette is a bit extreme.

by coque429 on Jul 2, 2008 9:16 AM EDT 0 recs

things aren't looking good

-Dooling has been contacted by 7 teams, I assume one of them can offer him the starting job that he has desired for years
-8 teams have contacted Pietrus, but sources say the Magic aren’t one of them
-There is a strong possibility that Chris Duhon could end up getting a good chunk of the MLE and end up being our 2nd string pg.

So yeah, I know it’s only the 2nd of July but I don’t like what I’m seeing so far.

by magic fanatic on Jul 2, 2008 12:40 PM EDT 0 recs

Maggette

If Maggette signs for the MLE for another team, I would be left wondering. I never thought he would sign for less then what he was already making. I think Golden State and Philly are the 2 teams to watch for in all this.

by L Magico on Jul 2, 2008 6:29 PM EDT 0 recs