Magic want to keep own free agents, sign bigman

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The Magic know that if they spend too much time haggling over free-agent bargains, they stand to lose two double-figure scorers in forward Pat Garrity and guard Troy Hudson.

Troy Hudson said that he might stay for less and that he likes playing for another and the situation is good for him. However, there was no comments ftom Garrity.

So unlike the past few seasons, when the issue was who might join them, the Magic begin free agency today needing to keep their own.

With monetary concerns limiting their options, the Magic are interested in improving by doing two things: Keeping the core of this team together and finding a good deal on an available tough guy.

General Manager John Gabriel considers draft-night acquisition Rashard Griffith, a 27-year-old center who has played overseas since 1995, a player who will at least be in the rotation next season.

With that in mind, the Magic are likely to add just one player during free agency. If they can sign Hudson, they will go for a rugged power forward/center.

Charles Oakley, who has said he would like to play for Orlando, Philadelphia or the Los Angeles Lakers, is at the top of the Magic's wish list.Gary Trent, Popeye Jones, Scott Williams and Malik Rose are other free-agent power forwards that the Magic are expected to consider signing.

If they cannot sign Hudson, then point guard becomes a concern.It's likely that if his leg holds up that Grant Hill will start at the point with Darrell Armstrong coming off the bench. If Hudfson's leaves, Travis Best, Jacque Vaughn, and Chris Childs become possible options.

The way the Magic are built, with Tracy McGrady dictating the offense and passing to open shooters, signing Pat Garrity is a must. His value is increased for two reasons: Hill's ankle injury and the fact that the Magic will still listen to callers wanting them to trade their most tradable commodity, Mike Miller.

"They are going to be a bit of a struggle," Gabriel said of signing his free agents. "It's not going to be easy."

Via Orlando Sentinel

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Griffith comes 'home' to Magic

By Mike McGraw Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted on June 29, 2002 The Orlando Magic has been desperate for a big man ever since Tim Duncan refused to sign as a free agent in 2000. The latest candidate to fill the role is a familiar name to Chicago basketball fans.

In a deal completed late on draft night, Orlando acquired the rights to Rashard Griffith by sending second-round choice Jamal Sampson to Milwaukee. The former King High School star was a second-round pick by the Bucks in 1995 and has been playing overseas for the past seven seasons.

The Magic then flew Griffith to Florida to join fellow draft-night acquisition Ryan Humphrey in an introductory news conference.

"I had basically accomplished everything I could in Europe and my dream has always been to play in the NBA," said the 6-foot-11 Griffith. "I've been dreaming and praying that the day would come. I just wanted the opportunity to be able to play."

Griffith's European resume includes four seasons in Turkey, one in Israel and the past two playing for Kinder Bologna in the Italian League. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds in 22 games last season.

If all goes well, Griffith might step in as the Magic's starting center, where rookie Steven Hunter and an aging Patrick Ewing failed last year.

"My experience in Europe was a great one in terms of helping me develop as a person and as a player," said Griffith, who played two seasons at Wisconsin. "It got me into the attitude where I wanted to win. I accomplished the great goal that I set for myself and that was to win the European championship. I won that last year, and finished second this year. Winning's followed me wherever I've been."

Miller trade still possible: The biggest news Wednesday during the draft might have been the trade that was not made. Even after selecting guard Dajuan Wagner with the No. 6 pick, Cleveland hung on to point guard Andre Miller.

There was heavy speculation that the Cavaliers were going to deal the NBA assists leader to the Los Angeles Clippers for the Nos. 8 and 12 picks, plus a player.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Cavs asked for Darius Miles. The Clippers offered Corey Maggette, then switched to Lamar Odom. After drafting Wagner, Cleveland reportedly called back to accept the trade for Odom and wanted the Clippers to take Connecticut's Caron Butler with the eighth pick.

The problem was, the Clippers had already phoned their selection of Chris Wilcox into the league. When the Clippers tried to swap Wilcox for the No. 9 pick, Phoenix had already chosen Amare Stoudemire. Miami then decided to keep Butler with the 10th selection.

There is always a chance Miller could leave Cleveland this off-season. Indiana is thought to be making an offer, and there has been talk of a possible three-way deal with Miller going to the Hornets and Baron Davis to the Clippers.

Clippers ready to spend: Some longtime NBA observers were surprised to hear that notoriously frugal Clippers owner Donald Sterling was willing to trade for Cleveland's Andre Miller, who is looking for a contract extension near the maximum salary this summer.

The Clippers already need to re-sign restricted free-agent center Michael Olowokandi and deliver an expensive extension for Elton Brand.

"Money is no factor to me," Sterling told the Los Angeles Times. "I spend that kind of money on any given day in some of my (real estate) business dealings and maybe that much twice a month."

Small sum at stake: The Atlanta Hawks are offering season-ticket buyers a playoff guarantee for next season. Anyone who buys a full-season package will get a free ticket to the Hawks' first home playoff game next season. If Atlanta fails once again to make the playoffs, season-ticket holders will receive a $125 refund per seat.

Via Daily Herald

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Magic hopes it beefed up

Ryan Humphrey is not the Magic's savior. Rashard Griffith and Mario Kasun aren't going to lead Orlando to the Eastern Conference final.

But then the Magic's new players from the 2002 draft are not supposed to do any of these things.

All they have to do is make Orlando bigger, stronger, tougher and more productive in the paint than it has been during the past few seasons -- and do it at bargain basement prices.

That's what Wednesday's flurry of what general manager John Gabriel admitted were minor deals was all about, giving Orlando solid players, not future superstars, who it hopes can soon step into the rotation and bolster a soft front court.

And do so at a price that doesn't include 2001 rookie of the year Mike Miller, veteran point guard Darrell Armstrong or its ambitions to sign a top-flight free-agent big man in 2003.

"We feel we've accomplished our goals and taken some steps without touching any of our major assets in Mike or Darrell," Gabriel said. "Or our future cap room."

Thursday, two of the Magic's new players, Humphrey and Griffith, were introduced to the media.

"Obviously, when I look to my right, I see two guys that are bigger than what I've been used to," coach Doc Rivers said.

"And that's a really good feeling for me."

Humphrey, a 6-foot-8, 235-pounder from Notre Dame, showed he can make up for his lack of size for a power forward during workouts in Orlando and at the Chicago predraft camp, displaying a 34-inch vertical leap, tenacity and a knack for floor burns.

"I throw my body around recklessly," Humphrey said. "I feel playing high school football has helped my mentality. If I get knocked down, you're going to have to keep knocking me down.

"They'll be like, "Man, is this dude ever going to quit?"'

Griffith was drafted by Milwaukee out of Wisconsin in 1995 but has not played in the NBA. The 7-foot, 27-year-old is ready to return but will have to take a pay cut from his estimated $2-million salary he earns in Europe.

"It's always been a goal and a dream to play in the NBA," Griffith said.

Last year's top pick, 7-0 DePaul center Steven Hunter, is expected to become a major contributor after playing little last season. Together with Humphrey, a fifth-year senior, and Griffith, a seven-year European veteran, Orlando hopes it has big men who can make it tougher.

"We were better at helping people up than putting them down," Gabriel said.

Orlando received Humphrey and Griffith for the price of one, Stanford center Curtis Borchardt. Orlando knew of Utah's interest in Borchardt, and the Magic needed a second-round pick.

Utah agreed to pick Humphrey at No.19 and send him and its second-round pick, the 47th overall, to Orlando for Borchardt. The 47th pick was traded to Milwaukee for the rights to Griffith.

Kasun, a 7-1 Croatian center with small forward skills, was picked 41st overall in the second round, acquired from the Clippers for future considerations.

The Magic maintains Kasun's rights for as long as he plays overseas, however, and might want him to remain there and develop.

Several rumored trades involving the Magic, and Miller, did not come to fruition.

One involved Orlando Cypress Creek's center Amare Stoudemire, the lone high schooler chosen in the draft.

If Stoudemire fell to Washington at No. 11, the Wizards reportedly would have sent him and Jahidi White to the Magic for Miller, center Andrew DeClercq and the 18th pick. But Phoenix took Stoudemire at No. 9.

Via St. Petersburg Times

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