According to several sources, including NBA.com and ESPN.com, Magic Forward Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto is a done deal. Now, rumors are surfacing that this could become a sign and trade because before signing Turkoglu, the Raptors would have to renounce their rights to F Shawn Marion, G Carlos Delfino and F Anthony Parker. David Aldridge thinks Carlos Delfino could become a member of the Magic.
"But Delfino had to go, too, though a source indicated late Friday that the Raptors may explore a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando that would send Delfino to the Magic."
See all of Alrdidge’s article here.
This would be a nice pickup. Delfino is a nice player who has some potential. He’s 6’6 and is still just 26 years old. Could Shawn Marion be a possibility? His averages fell of a little bit but he’s still a very good rebounder and scorer. He doesn’t have the same explosiveness that he had in Phoenix, but he still a very good player. Anthony Parker would probably be a backup on the Magic and he might make a little too much money for that role, but he’s a good player who went for 10.7 PPG, 4 RPG, and 3.4 APG. He is 34 years old.
Otis Smith thinks that talks of a sign and trade are way off base, Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel says.
"Smith said that any notion of the Magic executing a sign-and-trade with the Raptors involving Turkoglu — who opted out of his six-year contract with the Magic — were “way off base.”"
Who knows if this is true? It could just be yet another smokescreen. No one has really seen any of Otis’ moves coming so far this offseason.
The Sentinel is also reporting that the Magic will offer Free Agent PF Rasheed Wallace the entire mid level exception.
"Strickland said he will start meeting with the rest of Wallace’s pursuers next week, including Orlando, Dallas and San Antonio. He said that Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry has not made a call, though the Cavs could make a late appearance. They still have the necessary currency – a mid-level exception.All are expected to offer that same $5.8 million slot to Wallace – the Celtics did Thursday – so money is unlikely to be the issue.“The goal is pursuit of a ring. Money is always important, and there are actually a couple of scenarios where he would be able to get above the mid-level through something like a sign-and-trade. But the probability of that happening is not high. There are some ways to sweeten the situation, but generally speaking it will be the same money from everyone.”"
This would probably be the best move that the Magic can make. He will be 35 years old, but he is a proven winner and would be a good fit next Dwight Howard for reasons stated here.
Otis Smith also said that the Magic have three targets. One would sign for the MLE (Wallace or possibly Dallas PF Brandon Bass) while the other two would have to make the veteran’s minimum.
In other news, the Magic will not re-sign backup Center Marcin Gortat. Otis Smith thinks they should not spend so much money on a backup.
"“Those numbers are a little rich for a back-up center, a guy playing eight to 10 minutes (a game) behind my best player (Dwight Howard),” Smith said. “If it’s 5 (million), it puts you in a situation (financially) that you don’t recover from.”"
I agree with Smith here. This is just too much money to spend.
As for the mystery men that would be signed to the veteran’s minimum, I have no idea who these players would be. Mcdyess? It’s unlikely he would take the minimum. Bruce Bowen is expected to have his contract bought out by Milwaukee. Maybe he’d like a shot at another ring. Tony Battie is also supposed to be bought out and he loves playing in Orlando. It’d be nice to have Battie back in the 2009-10 season. The rest of the team, including a third PG behind Anthony Johnson will probably come from Orlando’s summer league team.