AleksandarN
Starter
Arza would be an interesting posiblity. But where will we have room for him in our roster? We already have Ron, Bonzi, Kevin and Garcia maning the swing positions.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/SPORTS/607110331/1002
MAITLAND - -- Already locked in a heated free-agent contract battle with DeShawn Stevenson, the Orlando Magic could be headed toward another contentious negotiation with small forward Trevor Ariza.
Ariza, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward, is garnering what his agent calls "substantial interest" from several NBA teams, making his return to the Magic anything but a guarantee.
Since Ariza is a restricted free agent, Orlando has the right to match any offer he receives. But Magic general manager Otis Smith continues to insist that he isn't about to overpay.
The Magic acquired Ariza, 21, in February from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade. In 21 games with the Magic, he made quite an impression, showing flashes of star potential at times. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds with Orlando, hitting double-digits in scoring four times.
His play apparently didn't go unnoticed around the NBA. Ariza's agent, David Lee, said Denver, Houston, Sacramento and New York have expressed interest in offering Ariza a contract. Knicks general manager/coach Isiah Thomas also is a big fan and inquired Monday about Ariza's availability, Lee said.
Teams and players can't officially sign deals until Wednesday. If Ariza signs an offer sheet with a team, Orlando would have 10 days to match the offer or allow him to leave.
Lee said he hopes it doesn't come to that because Ariza wants to return to Orlando. Ariza, who played for the NBA minimum last season, likely is seeking a deal worth more than $3 million a season. Stevenson is asking for a deal in excess of $4.5 million a season for five years.
"Otis and I have had a number of conversations, and he's aware of the substantive interest in Trevor," Lee said. "We hope that we can do this without pushing the envelope."
Lee said Ariza has been working out twice a day for the past two months, claiming the 200-pound small forward has added nine pounds of muscle. He also has worked hard to shore up his one glaring weakness -- his wayward jump shot.
Said Lee: "He's a jump shot away from being an All-Star." Gortat a keeper? The Magic have made no secret of their desire to add another big man to their roster before training camp in October. That player, 6-foot-10, 240-pound Polish center Marcin Gortat, might be right under their noses.
Gortat was impressive in his summer-league debut Monday night, scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds and swatting three shots. Gortat, who played professionally in Germany this past season, hopes to impress the Magic enough to get a guaranteed contract.
"That's why I'm here, why I've been working the past 10 months," Gortat said. "This is the moment I've been waiting for. I was determined not to let anybody push me around and be strong with my moves."
Gortat was certainly strong in the fourth quarter, hammering in a thunderous dunk to keep the Magic close before they lost 86-82 to the New Jersey Nets. Gortat said he has one year remaining on his contract in Germany, but the buyout is believed to be within reason if the Magic choose to bring him over to the NBA this season. Short stuff. Indiana small forward Danny Granger, one of the players Orlando passed on in last year's draft to select Fran Vazquez, looked like the best player on the floor at times Monday. He scored 12 points, most coming on strong post-up moves against smaller defenders. . . . Sean May, another player the Magic bypassed, showed off the work he has done this offseason by hitting several jumpers. May's range even extended to the 3-point line, where he made 1-of-2 tries from beyond the arc. May might spend some time at small forward in some situations when he plays alongside Emeka Okafor. Said May, who missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury: "I'm just trying to extend my game and show that I'm not just a back-to-the-basket player."
May's former college teammate, Raymond Felton, made a surprise appearance Monday and played 18 minutes for the Bobcats. Felton, an all-rookie performer this past season, scored nine points and handed out four assists. . . . San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Indiana All-Star Jermaine O'Neal and Orlando small forward Hedo Turkoglu attended Monday's games
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060711/SPORTS/607110331/1002
MAITLAND - -- Already locked in a heated free-agent contract battle with DeShawn Stevenson, the Orlando Magic could be headed toward another contentious negotiation with small forward Trevor Ariza.
Ariza, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward, is garnering what his agent calls "substantial interest" from several NBA teams, making his return to the Magic anything but a guarantee.
Since Ariza is a restricted free agent, Orlando has the right to match any offer he receives. But Magic general manager Otis Smith continues to insist that he isn't about to overpay.
The Magic acquired Ariza, 21, in February from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade. In 21 games with the Magic, he made quite an impression, showing flashes of star potential at times. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds with Orlando, hitting double-digits in scoring four times.
His play apparently didn't go unnoticed around the NBA. Ariza's agent, David Lee, said Denver, Houston, Sacramento and New York have expressed interest in offering Ariza a contract. Knicks general manager/coach Isiah Thomas also is a big fan and inquired Monday about Ariza's availability, Lee said.
Teams and players can't officially sign deals until Wednesday. If Ariza signs an offer sheet with a team, Orlando would have 10 days to match the offer or allow him to leave.
Lee said he hopes it doesn't come to that because Ariza wants to return to Orlando. Ariza, who played for the NBA minimum last season, likely is seeking a deal worth more than $3 million a season. Stevenson is asking for a deal in excess of $4.5 million a season for five years.
"Otis and I have had a number of conversations, and he's aware of the substantive interest in Trevor," Lee said. "We hope that we can do this without pushing the envelope."
Lee said Ariza has been working out twice a day for the past two months, claiming the 200-pound small forward has added nine pounds of muscle. He also has worked hard to shore up his one glaring weakness -- his wayward jump shot.
Said Lee: "He's a jump shot away from being an All-Star." Gortat a keeper? The Magic have made no secret of their desire to add another big man to their roster before training camp in October. That player, 6-foot-10, 240-pound Polish center Marcin Gortat, might be right under their noses.
Gortat was impressive in his summer-league debut Monday night, scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds and swatting three shots. Gortat, who played professionally in Germany this past season, hopes to impress the Magic enough to get a guaranteed contract.
"That's why I'm here, why I've been working the past 10 months," Gortat said. "This is the moment I've been waiting for. I was determined not to let anybody push me around and be strong with my moves."
Gortat was certainly strong in the fourth quarter, hammering in a thunderous dunk to keep the Magic close before they lost 86-82 to the New Jersey Nets. Gortat said he has one year remaining on his contract in Germany, but the buyout is believed to be within reason if the Magic choose to bring him over to the NBA this season. Short stuff. Indiana small forward Danny Granger, one of the players Orlando passed on in last year's draft to select Fran Vazquez, looked like the best player on the floor at times Monday. He scored 12 points, most coming on strong post-up moves against smaller defenders. . . . Sean May, another player the Magic bypassed, showed off the work he has done this offseason by hitting several jumpers. May's range even extended to the 3-point line, where he made 1-of-2 tries from beyond the arc. May might spend some time at small forward in some situations when he plays alongside Emeka Okafor. Said May, who missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury: "I'm just trying to extend my game and show that I'm not just a back-to-the-basket player."
May's former college teammate, Raymond Felton, made a surprise appearance Monday and played 18 minutes for the Bobcats. Felton, an all-rookie performer this past season, scored nine points and handed out four assists. . . . San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Indiana All-Star Jermaine O'Neal and Orlando small forward Hedo Turkoglu attended Monday's games
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