Despite Rumors, Stevenson Will Stay Put for Now

Magic swingman Keith Bogans has beaten out DeShawn Stevenson for the backup minutes at shooting guard behind starter Cutino Mobley.

Because of this, the Magic are looking to deal Stevenson rather than have come on and off the injured list all season long.

However, no deal can be made until december 15 because Stevenson signed a new contract this past summer.

Under the Collective-Bargaining Agreement, any player who signed a new contract during the offseason cannot be traded until either december 15 or three months (whichever is longer) after the deal was signed.

Since Stevenson signed his new three-year, $8.5 million deal on August 12, three months from then would be November 15 so the Dec 15 date applies here.

The Magic hope to get a draft picks for him but if anything, when the time comes, they will likely only be able to get filler and probably a second-round pick if they deal him straight up.

Via Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

O'Neal Discussed a Return to Orlando

Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal said he had "a few discussions" with the Magic this summer but ultimately didn't want to be traded to a rebuilding situation.

"We had a few discussions, but my salary was too high, and I'd have to come here with a brand-new team and start over, and that's not something I really wanted to do," said O'Neal, noting Tracy McGrady already had been traded to the Houston Rockets. "I wanted to come to a team that had an exciting player, and Miami has that exciting player in Dwyane Wade. Just shows you how smart Mitch Kupchak is."

Kupchak, the Los Angeles Lakers' general manager, dealt O'Neal to the Heat.

Via Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---

Option on Gooden to be Picked Up, Wagner's Declined

The Cavaliers are expected to pick up the 2005-06 option for Drew Gooden and decline it on Dajuan Wagner.

Gooden has been outstanding since the start of training camp and has carried fierce practice habits into the preseason games, where he's already piled up four double-doubles in limited minutes. After his 25-point, 10-rebound effort in Monday's victory over the Boston Celtics, Gooden is averaging 13 points, 11.4 rebounds and shooting 52 percent from the floor in an average of 26.7 minutes in the preseason.

Now with his third team in just his third season but with a starting job for the first time, Gooden and his camp are making no secret of their intentions. Which is why the option pickup might just be a start.

"Drew thinks he's in a very positive situation and he thinks the Cavaliers are a great fit for him right now," said Calvin Andrews, Gooden's agent. "The Cavaliers are in Drew's long-term plans."

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 draft, Gooden will make $3.2 million this season and the option year is worth $4.06 million.

After picking up Gooden's option, the Cavaliers will have about $22 million in salary committed for next season with two starters -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jeff McInnis -- becoming free agents. The salary cap is projected to be about $45 million, which would leave the Cavaliers room to be a major player in the free-agent game.

Wagner's option is worth $3.35 million next season, but the Cavaliers already have young players such as Luke Jackson and Sasha Pavlovic under cheaper long-term contracts and they both play Wagner's shooting guard position. In what is shaping up to be a deep year for shooting guards with Michael Redd, Joe Johnson and Ray Allen among those available, that money could be more valuable if freed up.

Via Akron Beacon-Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

---