Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Magic Rumors: Vaughn, Trades, Free Agency

January 9th, 2014 at 8:35am CST by Luke Adams

With no championship aspirations this season, the Magic must evaluate Jacque Vaughn‘s performance as head coach on intangible factors, such as leadership, communication, and how he has helped develop young players, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. And by those standards, the team is very happy with his work, and plans to keep him as its coach for the foreseeable future, according to general manager Rob Hennigan.

“We’re very proud of the job that Jacque has done,” Hennigan said. “His leadership has set the foundation. He understands the process. He isn’t in a rush to skip steps. He’s a great teacher. He’s done a noteworthy job of being unselfish, realizing we’re building for the long haul…. He knew what he was signing up for as I knew what I was signing up for. We believe in the foundation we’re establishing.”

Here are a few more items of interest from Schmitz’s conversation with the Magic’s GM:

None of the Magic’s veteran players have asked to be traded, says Hennigan.
Orlando intends to explore its options as February’s trade deadline approaches, but the front office is “not looking to shake up the team.”
Hennigan, on whether the Magic intend to wade into the free agent pool in 2014 after not making a splash in 2013: “We haven’t even looked at the water in the pool, haven’t even put in the chemicals yet. We’re ready if an opportunity presents itself.”
Asked whether the best way to continue improving the Magic is through free agency, the draft, or trades, Hennigan suggested there’s no exact blueprint or perfect model the club will follow.

Eastern Notes: Magic, Knicks, Deng, Bulls

January 8th, 2014 at 9:27pm CST by Charlie Adams

There haven’t been any updates on potential deals involving Andre Miller or J.R. Smith, so let’s have a look at the Eastern Conference in the meantime:

Despite diminished frontcourt depth, the Magic won’t be signing a player to a 10-day contract in the near future, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. The club waived Solomon Jones yesterday, and starting center Nikola Vucevic is suffering from a concussion, but apparently team management is confident in the club’s bench.
It’s been a tough season for the 12-22 Knicks, but head coach Mike Woodson still believes his club could hang with the Heat if his players were healthy. Fred Kerber of the New York Post passes along this quote from Woodson: “Absolutely and I still believe that [we could hang with the Heat], if we could ever get back whole… I’m not taking anything away from the players who have been consistently in uniform for us, but it’s hard to judge our team.“
Over at USA Today, a panel of sports writers takes a look at various issues surrounding the trade that sent Luol Deng from the Bulls to the Cavaliers. Among the issues discussed: the future of Chicago’s organization and the potential direction of Andrew Bynum‘s career after he was waived yesterday.
Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald opines that the Derrick Rose Rule is the reason that the Bulls couldn’t retain Deng. McGraw argues that Chicago couldn’t offer Deng a big enough extension because they had so much tied up in the contract that Derrick Rose was allowed to sign as a result of his early-career success.

Ford On Young, Cavs, Lakers, Bulls, Draft

January 8th, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Luke Adams

As usual, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford devoted half of his weekly chat to NBA talk and the other half to draft chatter. He provided a handful of interesting tidbits this week on both subjects, so let’s check in on several of the highlights….

According to Ford, the Cavaliers flirted with acquiring Thaddeus Young from the Sixers in a deal for Andrew Bynum, but Philadelphia wanted Cleveland’s own 2014 first-rounder, which was a non-starter.
Danny Ainge keeps saying the 2014 draft class is overrated, which Ford interprets to mean that the Celtics GM actually loves it.
The Lakers are “living in a fantasy land” when it comes to their asking price for Pau Gasol, says Ford, adding that L.A. wanted more from the Cavs for Gasol than what the Bulls got for Luol Deng.
Ford doesn’t think the Bulls are done dealing, noting that there have been a lot of trade whispers about Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah, and Carlos Boozer. I imagine Chicago would be much more inclined to part with Boozer and/or Hinrich than Noah.
NBA execs who value advanced metrics are concerned about Julius Randle‘s lack of steals this season (one in 385 minutes). While NBA teams still like Randle a lot, no GM or scout has suggested recently to Ford that his team would take the Kentucky big man first overall.
The Magic and Kings “really like” Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart.
“Virtually every GM in the league is in love” with Joel Embiid, who remains in the mix for the first overall pick.
Ford hears that a Mormon mission after this season isn’t out of the question for Jabari Parker, which prompted him to ask several GMs where they’d take the Duke forward if he declared for the draft and announced he was going on a two-year mission. Surprisingly, a few still said they’d take Parker first overall, says Ford.

Lakers Might Emerge As Hedo Turkoglu Suitor

January 4th, 2014 at 7:28pm CST by Charlie Adams

The Lakers look to be a team that could have interest in acquiring the recently waived Hedo Turkoglu, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld over at Sulia. We heard earlier that the Lakers reached out to the Magic about the veteran forward before the 34-year-old was waived yesterday. The club reportedly might have interest in signing Turkoglu once he clears waivers.

Kennedy suggests the move would be logical for Los Angeles. The Lakers have been ravaged by backcourt injuries this year, and although he’s not a guard, Turkoglu was often relied upon to run the offense in Orlando as a point forward. The recently signed Kendall Marshall has played well in his short time in LA, and a versatile Turkoglu would provide even more depth for the team that’s currently without Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar, and Steve Blake.

Turkoglu last saw action in 2012/13, when he struggled mightily for the Magic. In 11 contests and 17 minutes per game, he averaged 2.9 PPG and shot 26% from the floor. Despite his recent struggles, the small forward has had varying levels of success throughout the course of his career and could prove to be a valuable pickup for a team desperately seeking depth.

Magic Waive Solomon Jones

January 4th, 2014 at 4:29pm CST by Jonathan Nehring

TUESDAY, 4:29pm: Jones has cleared waivers, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

SATURDAY, 9:04pm: According to a team announcement, the Magic have waived center Solomon Jones. Jones had not seen much time this season due to tearing his meniscus in late October. He only had the chance to play in 11 games for the Magic and averaged 7.7 minutes in those games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.5 rebounds.

It appears the Magic did not need until Tuesday’s deadline to decide how they would handle their non-guaranteed contracts. Orlando’s roster is now down to 13 players, all on guaranteed contracts.

Latest On Hedo Turkoglu

January 3rd, 2014 at 8:48pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Magic decided to waive Hedo Turkoglu today after failing to find a trade that would net them either a young player or a draft pick, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Robbins also confirms that the Magic couldn’t convince the 34-year-old to accept a buyout and reduce his salary. The Magic fielded calls from both the Lakers and the Hawks about Turkoglu, a source told USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, but neither was appetizing for the Magic. The deal with the Lakers would have resulted in more salary long term, and the Hawks proposal had no value, the source said.

Turkoglu is generating interest from several NBA teams, according to Can Pelister of Super Basket, a media outlet based in Turkoglu’s native Turkey (Twitter link). The small forward’s appeal apparently doesn’t carry over to the international market, since a Euroleague team has rejected Turkoglu’s entreaties, Pelister adds. It’s not clear how serious Turkoglu might be about joining a team overseas anyway, since a report earlier this week indicated that he’s intent on remaining in the NBA.

Turkoglu tweeted today that Orlando will always be his “second home,” and had plenty of kind words for the Magic and their fans, as Robbins conveys, so while a return to the Magic is out of the question, it seems he’s doing his best not to burn any NBA bridges. He’ll make $6MM from his partially guaranteed contract this season, but he’ll likely have to scrap for minimum-salary opportunities going forward if he is to find NBA work again.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Magic Waive Hedo Turkoglu

January 3rd, 2014 at 4:03pm CST by Zachary Links

4:03pm: The Magic officially announced that Turkoglu has been waived.

12:30pm: The Magic will waive Hedo Turkoglu today at 4pm CT, according to John Denton of NBA.com (on Twitter). The move has been long expected for the veteran, who is on a $12MM contract that is only partially guaranteed for $6MM.

There was some speculation that Turkoglu could serve as a trade chip for the Magic, not unlike Andrew Bynum and the Cavs. However, unlike the Cavs, the Magic were mostly unwilling to take on salary in a trade and, of course, Turkoglu offers much less upside than Bynum.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the 34-year-old badly wants to return to the NBA and prove himself once again. Back in the fall, the Wolves were said to have interest in Turkoglu if he was cut loose by Orlando. If the interest is still there and the former offensive standout wants to come aboard, Minnesota can cut Robbie Hummel loose to make room. Hummel’s contract doesn’t become guaranteed until January 10th (next Friday).

The small forward, who turns 35 in March, played in only eleven games last season because of injury and a 10-game suspension that stemmed from a positive test for methenolone. He’s spent seven and a half seasons with the Magic over two separate stints. Across 13 seasons with the Kings, Spurs, Magic, Raptors, and Suns, the native of Turkey owns averages of 11.9 PPG and 4.2 RPG with a 42.6% field goal percentage. He also boasts a career 38.1% rate of success from downtown and if he can find his stroke once again, he could find himself with multiple suitors in the New Year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Hedo Turkoglu

January 2nd, 2014 at 8:45am CST by Luke Adams

As the Cavaliers call “virtually every team in the league” to gauge interest in Andrew Bynum‘s pseudo-expiring contract, ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reminds us that the Magic hold a similar trade chip in Hedo Turkoglu. Like Bynum, Turkoglu is on a $12MM contract that is currently only partially guaranteed for $6MM. His salary would become fully guaranteed if he’s not released on or before next Tuesday.

While the two players’ salaries may be similar, there are a few differences in the two situations, as Stein writes. Besides the fact that Bynum, two years removed from an All-Star appearance, has more upside, the Cavs also appear much more willing to take on salary in any trade. Depending on how much time Kyrie Irving misses with his knee injury, the Cavs still seem interested in pushing for a playoff spot, while the Magic would be less inclined to pursue a short-team piece earning significantly more than Turkoglu, such as Pau Gasol.

As for Turkoglu himself, even though he and the Magic mutually agreed he wouldn’t join the squad this year, he continues to work out on his own and remains committed to contributing to an NBA team. According to Stein, the veteran forward “badly wants the chance” to earn minutes somewhere once his situation is resolved. Assuming the Magic can’t find a trade partner within the next few days and waive Turkoglu by Tuesday, the 34-year-old will seek out a new team upon clearing waivers, Stein tweets.

Raptors Rumors: DeRozan, Lowry, Ross

December 31st, 2013 at 9:19am CST by Luke Adams

Zach Lowe’s final Grantland piece of 2013 kicks off with an extended look at the rebuilding Raptors, who are a surprising 7-3 since sending Rudy Gay to Sacramento. The hot stretch, which has vaulted Toronto into first place in a weak Atlantic Division, has created a whole new set of questions about whether or not the team will continue to sell off pieces. Lowe spoke to GM Masai Ujiri, coach Dwane Casey, and DeMar DeRozan about that subject and more in his piece, which is worth reading in full. Here are a few of the highlights:

While there have been rumblings that the Raptors would at least gauge the trade market for DeRozan, Lowe writes that the team seems to be growing more comfortable with the idea of the 24-year-old as a long-term core piece.
The market for Kyle Lowry hasn’t been as robust as the club may have anticipated, and Lowe runs down several reasons why specific suitors haven’t gotten too involved. One potential fit, the Heat, would “love a shot” at Lowry, but has little to offer.
If the Raptors’ success continues and the team appears to have a real shot at a top-four seed in the East, Terrence Ross could become a trade chip, according to Lowe. Noting that Arron Afflalo played for Ujiri’s team in Denver, Lowe cites several league sources who say that the Magic value Ross highly.
Assuming the Raptors did decide to explore any “buy now”-type moves, it’ll be difficult for the team to unload either Landry Fields or Steve Novak in such a deal, says Lowe.

Eastern Notes: Celtics, Williams, Cunningham

December 29th, 2013 at 8:38pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s been a fascinating year for the Celtics following their blockbuster deal with the Nets. The C’s hit the reset button by shipping Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn and while they’re anxiously awaiting Rajon Rondo‘s return, there’s plenty of reason to believe that the future in Boston is bright. GM Danny Ainge reflected on 2013 with the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett. “It was tough because we had so many injuries during the course of the year,” said Ainge. “I thought that our team was actually better than it ended up showing in the playoffs — without Rondo, without Sullinger, without (Leandro) Barbosa, who was playing really well for us (before be tore his left ACL in February). That was tough to overcome. I think our guys did as good as could be expected with what we had.” More from the East..

Terrence Williams has no plan to return to the Nets‘ D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, a source tells Shams Charania of RealGM. The guard, who signed with Turk Telekom in October before parting ways after just two games, is talking to other teams. Williams finished the 2012/13 season with the Celtics.
The Hawks announced that they recalled guard Jared Cunningham from the Bakersfield Jam of the D-League. Cunningham, who was re-assigned to Bakersfield on December 16, has averaged 18.1 points, 5.4 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 33.1 minutes in eight games (all starts) in two stints with the Jam this season.
Arron Afflalo‘s NBA journey has taken him from the Pistons to the Nuggets to the Magic but he says that all of the movement hasn’t affected his development, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.