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Clark unlikely for magicJerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The Orlando Magic are no closer to signing free agent forward/center Keon Clark after a meeting between General Manager John Gabriel and Jim Mourer, Clark's agent. Though Gabriel said the meeting went well, the same issues that make signing Clark such a long shot still exist. It was originally thought that Clark would accompany Mourer to Orlando, but the 6-foot-11 former Magic draft pick did not visit. If talks progress and Clark grows more intrigued with the Magic, he will visit. The Magic hope that, at some point, they can bring him in for some wooing. Mutual interest has caused the Magic to explore adding Clark to the roster. Clark, who averaged 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds for Toronto last season, has said in the past that living where there is no state income tax is attractive to him. He is also said to be an avid golfer in the off-season. And the Magic play a faster style that could showcase his athleticism. Still, he is expected to command the entire $4.545 million mid-level exception. Though the Magic have most of it to spend, they are dangerously close to the luxury tax, which is expected to kick in between $50 and $52 million this coming season. If a franchise's team salary is above that number, they will have to pay, dollar for dollar, the money over that amount they are. That's why signing Clark is so difficult. "I think it's unlikely, but you've still got to explore," Gabriel said. "When players show interest, you have to kick open a door that's slightly cracked." Clark has at least six serious suitors, including the Sacramento Kings, who are championship contenders. To acquire Clark, the Magic would have to make a trade that might have to include Mike Miller to clear some room under the expected $50-52 million luxury tax freshold. Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Coveted free agent Clark visits MagicJerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic are looking at all the possibilities. They want Keon Clark but they don’t want to pay the luxury tax. Magic General Manager John Gabriel will try to work a trade to add Clark to the roster without taking the team salary over the $50-$52 million range. Anything above that puts the Magic in danger of paying the luxury tax for the upcoming season. The Magic will try to convince Clark to come to Orlando. He would be an important piece to a team that may only be one big man away from contending for the Eastern Conference title. Gabriel and the Magic have plenty of competition for Clark’s services. At least half a dozen teams are interested in Clark. His agent, Jim Mourer, reportedly had a hush-hush meeting in Las Vegas last week with the Sacramento Kings. Mourer said last week that his client would consider a short-term deal, possibly three years, if the situation were right. Even in this tight NBA economy, Clark is expected to command the full $4.545 million mid-level exception. Brewer adds that it's hard to imagine a situation in which the Magic could sign Clark and keep forward Mike Miller. Miller, the 2001 rookie of the year, has endured hearing his name in trade talks for the past two off-seasons. Miller would likely have to be included to work any sign-and-trade for Clark. Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Garrity understands luxury tax limitationsKen Hornack of the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that Pat Garrity knew the situation he was in when he signed his 5-year, $15 million contract earlier this week. Garrity is the Secretary Treasurer of the NBA Players Association and understands all too well the implications of the luxury tax on today’s players. Garrity won’t have to concern himself with contract negotiations for another five years. Since the current CBA expires after the 2003-04 season, he knows he will take a long look at the effects of teams being imposed a luxury tax for going beyond the salary cap. "I understand the implications of being over the tax," he said. "And it's definitely something the players are going to want to look at the next round." (RealGM note: The current CBA is set to expire after the 03-04 season, but the owners have an option to extend the agreement for an additional season.) Even the waiving Wednesday of Jud Buechler, who was scheduled to make more than $4 million next season, won't permit the Magic to do much other than perhaps sign second-round draft pick Mario Kasun. The Magic will still be liable for the majority of Buechler's salary. There is no guarantee that a tax will go into effect next summer. But the looming threat of one was on Garrity's mind before negotiations began on his new $15 million deal. "I came into doing this straight from the players' meeting," Garrity said. "So I think I had Luxury Tax and Escrow 101 probably about a month ago." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Magic Jul 2002 Archive
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