Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith will let free agent market settle before...

KEEP TURK!!! Dip DEEP into that tax Magic brass!!!

I can't believe Turk would be willing to go to a team like Sac, Memphis, or even Toronto after what he has accomplished with the Magic..Detroit OK, but it sucks to see that it's really not about winning for a lot of these guys.

Mike, I'd love to but we can't. We only have 8 players under contract. Turkolglu's trade value is sky high right now and Portland is the team that is willing to deal to get him. I say we sign and trade Turk to Portland for Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, and Joel Przybilla. The money would match up and we'd be at 11 players under contract. Plus, we'd keep him out of Detroits hands...even though I don't think he'd go there anyways. We've got 2 more bigs in Europe in Vasquez and the big Russian kid...I forget his name...their contracts are up and they can come if they want. And can't forget about Sheed and Brandon Bass. So I think we'll be ok. On the other hand, think about things on Turks part. He can't afford to be a free agent next year when the biggest names in the game are free agents. He had to take advantage of the equity of his game. If he waits, his value next year is not near what it would be this year. I can't blame him for opting out.

No matter what, we're going to be in the luxury tax. But ownership has already said they willing to do what needs to be done for us to win it all. I figure us going about 12-15 million into the luxury tax. We can give either Wallace or Bass the mid-level exception so they don't count. Sign Turk for 8-10 million and get 3 very solid ball players in return. And if you ask me, I think New Jersey is going to buy out Tony Battie and we can sign him back for the veterans minimum. We're going to be just fine and a much better basketball team come the start of the season.

Magic Man wrote:

Mike, I'd love to but we can't. We only have 8 players under contract. Turkolglu's trade value is sky high right now and Portland is the team that is willing to deal to get him. I say we sign and trade Turk to Portland for Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, and Joel Przybilla. The money would match up and we'd be at 11 players under contract. Plus, we'd keep him out of Detroits hands...even though I don't think he'd go there anyways. We've got 2 more bigs in Europe in Vasquez and the big Russian kid...I forget his name...their contracts are up and they can come if they want. And can't forget about Sheed and Brandon Bass. So I think we'll be ok. On the other hand, think about things on Turks part. He can't afford to be a free agent next year when the biggest names in the game are free agents. He had to take advantage of the equity of his game. If he waits, his value next year is not near what it would be this year. I can't blame him for opting out.

Very good post

I agree with Magic Man! Sign and trade Turk to Portland. If that is not and option Mcdyss is a good pickup with any other MLE players to fill the holes on the roster.
I really do not like Rasheed but something is better than nothing!

Rasheed is a desperate move but not bad at all....if we can't get the turk, maybe grant hill signing back for a vet minimum with us is not a bad idea after all, playing the same spot and style....

Sign Hedo !!!!! NOW !!!!

And keep Turk !!!

I still like to trade to the rockets- Shane and Luis Scola. Maybe Gortat and Hedo

bocaG wrote:

I can't believe Turk would be willing to go to a team like Sac, Memphis, or even Toronto after what he has accomplished with the Magic..Detroit OK, but it **** to see that it's really not about winning for a lot of these guys.

Are you 12 years old? If not, grow up. It's always been a business. But the players have more options now and they take advatntage of them. What's wrong with that. If the Magic want(ed)Hedo they could keep him.

Said it before. Say it again. They wouldn't have gotten to the Finals without Hedo. they;'re not getting back without him. The ball's in YOUR court, Otis.

Trading turk for Travis Outlaw and Rudy Fernandez would be very nice and liklier than trading him to the Rockets for Battier and Scola, altough i'd love to have them here. Nevertheless and trade him...those two options (rockets or blazers trade) are great. I'd split the MLE and go for Wallace (vet min if possible, he said he'd play one more season if playing for a contender) and Bass...or...CV31 who's been released from the bucks. I know CV is a horrible defender, but a descent scorer. What's important for me is signing a young and promising PF to help D12 out with rebounds. Greetings from a Magic Fan in Switzerland...

I think Charlie villanueva would be really nice, but if we get him...we also have to go after Sheed or Dice, we need a proven defender...

Glad to see no one is whining about the VC trade so far. Personally, I do not think the Magic will re-sign Hedo. I do not think they will do a sign-n-trade either. Remember, we are dealing with big babies and Hedo has had his feelings hurt - a lot!!

Now, to some potential FA bigs that would be options.

Rasheed Wallace - I like him. He brings toughness, determination and he is a winner. Yes, he may have issues on the court, but when he was in Portland - the fans loved him. In Detroit - the fans loved him. I think he would become a fan favorite in Orlando as well. He stretches the floor b/c he can hit the 3.

Antonio McDyess - Very athletic big who can play the 4,5. Will not stretch the D, but can do it all. Great guy as well.

Brandon Bass - I like the idea of trying to get Bass. He is a banger - very tough. Not a shooter, more of the Dennis Rodman, rebounding only type. Bringing him in will give us 2 of the best rebounders in the league.

Thoughts? Other big FA's we need to be looking at?

Magic Man, very interesting post. A sign-and-trade for Pryz, Outlaw and Rudy would be great, but I don't think Portland would be willing to give that much up, especially with fan favorite Fernandez in the mix. If it were possible, though, I would love that deal.

If Oden has a finally healthy season, with Turk in the starting SF position, Portland's starting lineup would be dangerous. They'd get veteran leadership and it would actually help relieve their point guard issues if they let Hedo handle the ball in half court.

For Orlando, doing that trade would greatly improve the Magic's depth charts. The second unit would look like half of the best Trailblazer lineup of last year. We'd get two 3pt. shooters and a backup center since Gortat sounds like he's leaving. That takes care of 3 positions, where we'd only need to search for a PF (hopefully Rasheed) and a PG. It's going to be an expensive year.

All bets are on with Otis Smith calling the shots. This guy amazes with his ability to make trades. VC is yet another great surprise from out of the blue by Mr Smith. Can't wait to see what he puts together to make the Magic the Beast of the East next season. Hedo will go for the best deal, it's about the money for him, he's earned a payday. There are other guys out there looking at Orlando...like VC some of them see the chance Orlando offers to go all the way?

Why would Turk want to sign with any of those loser teams to make an extra few million? I guess that's easy for me to say sitting on my laptop not realizing how much an extra $3million dollars a year really is.

Mike wrote:

KEEP TURK!!! Dip DEEP into that tax Magic brass!!!

They already did. Offered $35 million over 4 years ($8.75/yr).

Good luck getting another offer like that. TON of good Free Agents this year and very few teams with money. I think Turk will regret turning that offer down. Probably already does.

Jimbo wrote:

Said it before. Say it again. They wouldn't have gotten to the Finals without Hedo. they;'re not getting back without him. The ball's in YOUR court, Otis.

What would you be willing to go up to to sign him? How much would be too much? Would you offer him $10 mil/yr for 5 years? I love Turk, but NO WAY I offer him that.

Funny thing is...we all complain that Otis outbid himself when he signed R. Lewis...and he did. Now some of you all want him to do the same thing with Turk.

Seriously, with all of the quality free agents out there, what do you really think Turk can get? I posed this list in another forum, but check out this list of free agents:

Only 4 teams really have any money to spend this year....yet take a look at these Free Agents this year....no particular order:

UNRESTRICTED:
Hedo Turkoglu
Shawn Marion
Ron Artest
Lamar Odom
Ben Gordon
Allen Iverson
Rasheed Wallace
Jason Kidd
Andre Miller
Drew Gooden
Mike Bibby
Trevor Ariza
Flip Murray
Grant Hill
Zaza Pachulia

RESTRICTED:
Marcin Gortat
David Lee
Ramon Sessions
Glen Davis
Leon Powe
Paul Millsap
Charlie Villanueva
Nate Robinson

This list doesn't even included guys that can opt out if they so desire like: Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur & Al Harrington.

Take into consideration that next years free agent crop is one of the best in history. If Turk gets a deal more than $8.75 million/year, I will eat my hat. Well, I don't actually own a hat, but I will go get one.