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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 Kings talk with Clark, MarshallMartin McNeal of the Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings are keeping all channels open. The luxury tax may penalize teams for over spending, but it also allows teams to find bargains in the free agent market. Hence the team's recent conversations with a number of free agents, such as athletic versatile forwards Keon Clark, who last season played with Toronto, and Donyell Marshall, who played with Utah. Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, said the team is always looking at which players are available. "We're always going to be monitoring these situations," Petrie says of a crop of talented free agents who have been unable to command the types of dollars they once expected. "The standing operating procedure is to at least call people and see what they are doing," Petrie said Saturday. "You can always assume we're going to do that." Earlier this week, Petrie said no deals were imminent for the Kings. "There is nothing marching toward the watchtower," he said Thursday. Saturday, Petrie kidded, "The fog still hasn't lifted from that watchtower." Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Kings Jul 2002 Archive
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