| Ask Howard Authored by Howard Mass - May 5, 2005 - 3:42 am
Ask Howard
Last week, I asked Magic Fans for their questions on the MFO message board thread and now Ask Howard is back and now at Magic Front Office.
In this installment: Why Eric Mussleman will land in Orlando, who is being shipped out of Orlando this summer, and some early free agent ideas.
Enjoy!
INCUBUS asks: With 5 teams likely looking for decent coaches this offseason, do you see us landing a good coach before the draft (as to what Weis planned)? Also, who are your top 5 candidates for the coaching job?
Howard's response: The Magic will definitely have a coach in place by the end of May. I just cannot see John Weisbrod waiting past then as he also wants a coaching staff in place by the end of May.
As for my Top 5 canadiates
1) Eric Mussleman- Had a great two years with Golden State until Chris Mullin took over and decided Mussleman was not his guy.
I have wanted him to be the head coach since last summer and hopefully things work out. Keep in mind though that Muss was also once a second row assistant for the Magic under Chuck Daly.
He is young and can make the most out of his talent. I really hope the Magic will get him and I bet they will.
2) Scott Skiles- Chicago will probably get wise and offer him an extension. Chucky would be a great fit as he has success in Phoenix and now Chicago.
3) Flip Saunders- My guess is he goes to another team like New York, Los Angeles, or Portland. Even though it could happen, I just do not see it. Look for him to land in Portland who has conveted him for the past few years.
4) Chris Jent- We all like him but he is not the coach this team needs right now. His situation is just like Richie Adubato's back in 1997. Jent is basically being kept on a string as a last resort.
5) Brian Hill and P.J. Carlesimo do not really intrique me at all. We all love Brian Hill but the only reason why he is being consider is for PR and his success with some good talent back in the glory days. Carlesimo is a screamer who is only being reconsidered for head coaching positions after a successful stint as an assistant in San Antonio. He is simply a typical recycled coach.
As much as I like Hill, I would pass on him along with the recycled Carleismo.
Magicfn1 asks: When it's all said and done, who will be the Magic's head coach?
Howard's response: Ever since last summer, I have wanted Eric Mussleman to be the head coach of this team and I think he will be.
It is really between Orlando and Minnesota for his services.
I personally see a better situation here in Orlando as Kevin Garnett and Wally Szerbiak's deals kill Minnesota capwise and give them VERY little room to manuever.
Here in Orlando there is much more overall talent in a conference that is much easier to get ahead in along with Christie and Cato's large and valuable expiring contracts that could set a disgruntled star or at the very least, a nice piece for this team.
Unless, Mussleman really wants to take over his late father Bill's old team, I see Mussleman back in Orlando next season.
drsd asks: Most agree that Jent moves back to an assistant position or moves on. Thinking in this vain, of the assistants this year, Ron Ekker, Chris Jent, Clifford Ray, and Morlon Wiley, which are likley to be kept under a new coaching administration?
Howard's response: In any sport, it is VERY hard to go from being the head guy to an understudy. If your the new head coach, you would feel extremely insecure as you would always have to worry if you were being underminded.
.
Chris Jent would not be hard for the new head coach to work with but it is best for him to move on.
As for the others.....
Ron Ekker was fired with former head coach Johnny Davis.
As for Ray and Wiley, I think they would have a good shot to stay on the new staff but it will be up to the new coach.
doct3r dr3 asks: Which free agents do you see the Magic pursuing this offseason, and which do you think will actually be signed?
Howard's response: There are some decent names out there and I coud actually see the Magic spliting their Mid-Level Exception (undetermined due to new CBA not being hammered out).
Some possibilities for the full include Jeff McInnis, Antonio Daniels, Earl Watson, Marko Jaric, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Kerry Kittles.
There are also many other names out there that could come in and contribute defensively.
I will have more on free agents when details of the New CBA (if it gets hammered out) is released.
Magicfan94 asks: Where is Kwame Brown gonna go this summer?
Howard's response: I cannot see him getting a huge offer from a team with capspace and teams will not offer him smaller deals as the Wizards will just match them. Look for the Wizards to work out a sign and trade deal for him.
francis2dwight asks: whats your thoughts about our draft pick? do we get the best guy available? best guy for position, if so, which position? or do we package it in a deal a "impact" player?
Howard's response: John Weisbrod will look at ALL options.
I personally feel they should take the best player available.
It should be a fun draft and a lot of drama waiting to see what drops to the 11th pick. Things would be nicer if one of the Magic's 8 combinations is drawn in the lottery but that is unlikely.
ORL asks: How do you see the situation with our two 2nd round picks shaping up?
Howard's response: I would not expect much but it would be nice if the Magic could trade into the lower second round.
They will have the 37th or 38th pick along with the 44th pick.
If New York ends up with a higher pick than Toronto after the May 24th lottery, the Magic get 37 but if they don't, they get 38 as they will definitely swap their own pick for Toronto's.
Do not be surprised if John Weisbrod sells the picks either. At the very least, I will have some fun watching the second round.
penn24 asks: Will Jameer Nelson be the starting point guard for the Magic next season, or will we seek out a PG this offseason to fill that void?
Howard's response: Reports say that the Magic want Jameer Nelson to come off of the bench. We all know Jameer will beat out whoever is brought in as another point guard is needed.
pizza asks: Will Steve Francis be traded to NY?
Howard's response: Is there a guy you do not want traded to New York? Right now, Francis is probably staying put.
StevenKaz: What is the deal with Doug Christie.. and how can he be used in a deal?
Howard's response: We all know the Weisbrod talk that Christie will return is false. He was just doing the normal GM return. If your a GM, you never say outright that you are going to trade a player. Does anyone really think that the same guy who has shipped players out because they were going to be unhappy with their minutes is going to keep someone around who pretty much walked out on this team? I for one do not think so.
His expiring contract is what is attractive here.
Teams love those contracts as some penny pinch these days and also for teams wanting capspace for the following season.
This past trading deadline, the Golden State Warriors got Baron Davis for Dale Davis' expiring deal and a decent but average starting point guard in Speedy Claxton.
Maybe the Magic cannot get a Davis type of player but maybe a piece they need.
ProfX asks: Howard who of our players do you think will be dealt this summer?
Howard's response: Kelvin Cato and Doug Christie.
JAXMagic asks: Is Cato going to be back? Is Deshawn trade bait, or our answer at SG? What will happen to DQ, Christie, Garrity, and Hunter?
Howard's response: Kelvin Cato is going to be traded as his expiring contract will have a lot of value. I also feel Cato's injuries and to some, a questionable work ethic, would probably lead to him being on the block regardless of his expiring deal.
DeShawn Stevenson definitely helped his cause for returning after Chris Jent took over and started him. However, he is not the answer at shooting guard as he does not yet have a consistent long-range shot. It is possible that he could be trade bait though if needed as his low salary might be needed as a throw-in or maybe a team will overvalue him. Still, while I think he will be a good reserve next season, do not rule out that this last part of the season was just a good stretch of games. It can also not be ruled out that this last part of the season was a sign of great things to come.
Andrew Declercq is probably on the way out especially with how John Weisbrod likes Mario Kasun and an already good backup in Tony Battie around. Hopefully, he lands in a good situation.
Doug Christie- Read Above. Christie is getting traded.
Pat Garrity- I have said this before and I will say it again, if this team cannot get Garrity spot up shots, the magic need to trade him. Hopefully, they can get a good role player in return.
Brandon Hunter- Some of you really like him but anyway you put it, he loses out in a numbers game here folks.
Contact
If anyone has any questions for me, just send me an E-Mail howard.mass@realgm.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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