Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southeast Notes: Heat, Fisher, Magic, Diaw

March 19th, 2012 at 7:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Let's get you caught up on some items out of the Southeast division on a busy night in the Association..

Count Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel among those who thinks the Heat should make a play for both Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. Earlier today, LeBron James told reporters that he wouldn't mind playing alongside Fisher.
However, Winderman (via Twitter) doesn't see J.J. Hickson as a good fit for the Heat. He believes that the forward would be redundant for the team and while he has upside, Miami is likely looking to make a move for the present rather than the future.
DeSagana Diop was activated in favor of Boris Diaw tonight, but there's nothing new regarding Diaw's potential buyout, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The Bobcats would like to rid themselves of the forward's contract.
Even without a major acquisition at the trade deadline, are the Magic still good enough to contend this season? The players seem to think so, writes Chris Tomasson of FOXSportsFlorida.com.
Forward Brian Cook says that he'll play hard for however long he's with the Wizards, writes Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Washington is willing to accomodate Cook if he wants to play elsewhere and his agent Mark Bartelstein is set to have buyout discussions with the club this week.

Odds & Ends: Odom, Aldridge, Jefferson, Celtics

March 18th, 2012 at 6:51pm CST by Michael Pina

In his first game since becoming a member of the Warriors, Richard Jefferson had a tough go, making just two of 14 shots and scoring nine points in just under 38 minutes of play. On Thursday, the Spurs dealt Jefferson for veteran swingman Stephen Jackson. Due to the approximate $30 million due his way over the next three years (including an $11 million player option in 2013-14 which he's likely to exercise), the Warriors were questioned for making the deal.

Here are a few other notes from around the league.

John Denton tweets that Otis Smith is content with the Magic roster and can't see adding any of the recently bought out vets like Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. CBS Sports' Matt Moore explores potential landing spots for Fisher.
The Blazers have announced a Monday press conference for Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet, suggesting they passed their physicals (via Mike Tokito tweet).
Yesterday, Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears wrote a detailed feature on Lamar Odom's struggles in Dallas. Inside the piece, Spears notes that Odom formally requested a buyout in February, but was rejected by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson.
Upon hearing that Ronny Turiaf has officially been bought out by the Nuggets, WEEI.com's Paul Flannery takes a look into whether the Celtics might be interested in bringing the 6'10" Frenchman aboard. Boston made no moves at the trade deadline but with the future of Jermaine O'Neal still in serious doubt, they're still in need of a big man or two.
Since taking over for the Trail Blazers former head coach Nate McMillan, Kaleb Canales has decided to utilize LaMarcus Aldridge more from the elbow. According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, the move was made before Friday night's win against Chicago, and Portland's best player has said he's enjoying the change.

Southeast Notes: Augustin, Heat, Magic, Wizards

March 17th, 2012 at 9:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Just one team from the Southeast division was in action tonight – the Bobcats. Charlotte outscored the Raptors 38-14 in the third quarter to power their way to a 107-103 victory at home. Here's a look at the rest of the division..

Bobcats guard D.J. Augustin told reporters that the trade deadline wasn't a distraction for him because his name has been in rumors since he was a rookie, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
In today's mailbag, a reader asks Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel if Derek Fisher would be a good fit for the Heat. Winderman won't rule Fisher out as a possibility for the Heat if he is bought out of his deal, though he wouldn't be a great fit due to his lackluster defense.
The Magic will be fighting an uphill battle as they look to surround Dwight Howard with the talent he seeks, writes Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. GM Otis Smith will have to be extremely creative with his roster this summer and every player outside of D12 and Ryan Anderson will surely be shopped.
At his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, Nick Young sounded relieved to be traded from the Wizards, writes Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Young says he was bothered not only by the losing but the ridicule he and his former team received on a national level.
The Bobcats players and coach Paul Silas seem to trust Michael Jordan's vision for the club, writes Derek Page of HoopsWorld.com. While Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin are optimistic about the future in Charlotte, the club has received a great deal of criticism from the outside.

Kennedy On Williams, Buyouts, Nets, Magic

March 17th, 2012 at 4:45pm CST by Chuck Myron

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld chatted with readers this afternoon, and passed along a few intriguing nuggets. Here are the highlights:

He rounded up the buyout candidates, listing Chris Kaman, Derek Fisher, Jermaine O’Neal, Shawne Williams, Boris Diaw, Marquis Daniels, Brian Cook and Ronny Turiaf.
Kennedy says he's been told free agent-to-be Deron Williams wants to play in Dallas, he and predicts the point guard winds up with the Mavs.
Since Dwight Howard's option only covers one more season, Kennedy wouldn't rule out the Nets pursuing D12 again next year.
The Magic won't go after Derek Fisher if he's bought out by the Rockets, but they may try to work a sign and trade with restricted free agent Ryan Anderson this summer as they try to get creative to bring in the talent necessary to appease Howard.

Magic Notes: Howard, Agent, Deadline

March 16th, 2012 at 9:37pm CST by Chuck Myron

It would seem the schedule makers were plugged into the rumor mill when they set up tonight's Magic-Nets game in Orlando for a day after the trade deadline. The Nets were leading candidates to engage in a Dwight Howard deal with the Magic, but instead had to wonder what might have been as they watched D12 put up a relatively tame 18-point, six-rebound effort in an 86-70 Orlando win. Here's what's happening in the Magic Kingdom a day after a most anticipated trade deadline:

The kinship between Howard and Deron Williams was not compelling enough to draw the big man away from his video game in time for dinner with the Nets point guard, reports Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, via Twitter. Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star Ledger points out that the two did exchange texts. (Twitter link)
Howard confirmed what manager Kevin Samples said yesterday, and is not firing agent Dan Fegan, Bondy also tweeted. There was speculation that Fegan was influencing Howard not to opt in to the final year of the deal, since Fegan, who didn't negotiate Howard's existing contract, wouldn't get a cut. (Twitter links)
Orlando fans were forgiving of Howard for his indecisiveness, giving him a "booming ovation" at the start of tonight's game, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.
The Magic top Washington Post writer Michael Lee's list of deadline winners for the deal they didn't make, with the Nets as the top loser.

Failed Deals: Beasley, Crawford, Allen, Pierce

March 15th, 2012 at 3:31pm CST by Luke Adams

You've read about the trades that were completed prior to the deadline, but there were also plenty of moves that didn't quite work out. Here are a few that have been reported so far:

The Lakers had been in talks to acquire Michael Beasley in a deal that would've sent Jamal Crawford and Derek Fisher to the Timberwolves, with Dallas' first-round pick going to the Blazers, says Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (on Twitter).
Crawford also could've gone to the Lakers, but the Blazers didn't want to take on Derek Fisher, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Before they acquired Nick Young, the Clippers talked extensively with the Rockets about trading for Courtney Lee, tweets Sam Amick of SI.com.
The Clippers were also "this close" from acquiring Ray Allen, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).
The Celtics had serious talks with several teams about both Allen and Paul Pierce, but nothing came together, says Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Another interesting tidbit from Amick: He says the Nuggets tried to engage the Kings on Nene/DeMarcus Cousins swap about a month ago, but the Kings weren't interested (Twitter links).
The Bucks made a "strong late push" for the Hornets' Carl Landry, but couldn't work anything out, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
GM Otis Smith told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com that the Magic explored many deals to bring in help around Dwight Howard, but that the risk/reward factor didn't make sense (Twitter link).

Crawford Hoping For Trade; Lakers Interested

March 15th, 2012 at 11:42am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers and the Nets are the latest teams to enter the Jamal Crawford sweepstakes, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com hears that Crawford is hoping for a trade, and that his preferred destination is Orlando (Twitter link).

The Lakers had already been engaged in talks involving Crawford, but the proposed three-team deal would have sent Crawford to Minnesota rather than Los Angeles. The Nets, meanwhile, are reportedly close to a deal for Gerald Wallace, so it's unknown whether they would maintain their interest in Crawford if they acquire Wallace.

Dwight Howard Waives Early Termination Option

March 15th, 2012 at 11:25am CST by Luke Adams

True to his word, Dwight Howard has waived his early termination option, locking him into his contract for next season, manager Kevin Samples tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). Chris Broussard of ESPN.com received a text from Howard himself confirming the news (Twitter link).

SI.com's Sam Amick (all Twitter links) says the league has agreed to execute the paperwork without the verification letter from agent Dan Fegan that would usually be required. The Magic have announced, via press release, that they'll hold a press conference at 1:00pm local time.

Zach Lowe of SI.com examines the ripple effect that Howard's official opt-in will cause across the league.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Thursday

March 15th, 2012 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

If you haven't been able to keep up with the twists and turns of the Dwight Howard saga, you're not alone. An eventful Wednesday ended with Howard telling Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com that he will sign an ETO waiver this morning and remain in Orlando for another season. Howard was apologetic about the "circus" he's caused, and cited "bad advice" he'd received from advisors as one reason for his indecision.

Nothing's official until Howard puts pen to paper though, so until we get definitive pre-deadline resolution on D12's future, we'll track today's updates right here, with the newest items up top:

There may still be skepticism about Howard's intentions, but the Nets, at least, are convinced he'll waive his ETO. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com (via Twitter), New Jersey is turning the page, and will move on to other deals.
Sources tell SI.com's Sam Amick that Howard's representatives had been pushing the superstar to hit free agency, which was a source of frustration for the Magic. Howard would "routinely express a willingness" to stay with Orlando, only to reverse course after meeting with his agency, says Amick.
Howard is expected to sign his ETO waiver at around 12:30 Eastern, says Rudolph (via Twitter).
Following Howard's latest reversal, the Magic told Dwight to sleep on his decision before signing anything today, reports ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.
It's highly unlikely that Howard waffles again, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. In the event that does happen, the Magic seem to have a trade they'd do with the Nets, Kyler adds.
Howard is "definitely not firing" agent Dan Fegan, D12's manager Kevin Samples tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). As long as Fegan is representing Howard, he'll need to sign the ETO paperwork as well.
Magic officials aren't expected to suspend trade talks involving Howard until they receive the signed ETO paperwork, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. However, Wojnarowski says (via Twitter) the Nets are working on separate trade scenarios to bring in help around Deron Williams, in case Howard does remain in Orlando.
A league source tells J.A. Adande of ESPN.com that missing the playoffs would cost Howard significant bonuses in his Adidas contract. Adande wonders if the threat of being traded to the 15-29 Nets and potentially losing those bonuses contributed to Howard's change of heart.

Kyler On Rockets, Gasol, Pacers, Blazers, Smith

March 15th, 2012 at 8:26am CST by Luke Adams

In his NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler reported that Dwight Howard is highly unlikely to change his mind again, but that the Magic seem to have a deal they'd do with the Nets if Howard waffles once more. You can follow all of today's Howard updates here, and check out the rest of Kyler's morning notes below:

The Rockets are discussing more than half their roster in trades, having offered around Terrence Williams, Jonny Flynn, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola, Hasheem Thabeet and Courtney Lee. According to Kyler, Houston would trade any combination of those players to acquire Chris Kaman.
The Bulls want Lee, but aren't likely to meet the Rockets' asking price, which would mean parting with Taj Gibson or Omer Asik. The Pacers and Timberwolves are also eyeing Lee.
Houston has a standing offer out to the Lakers for Pau Gasol, but it doesn't include Kyle Lowry, so nothing is expected to happen there.
If the Blazers' three-team deal with the Timberwolves and Lakers involving Jamal Crawford falls through, Portland may have a backup trade in place with the Pacers.
The Magic won't be able to make a move for Josh Smith, which isn't a surprise. One league source tells Kyler the Hawks want an All-Star frontcourt player in exchange for Smith, so a deal is very unlikely.