| Ask Howard Returns Authored by Howard Mass - March 19, 2006 - 3:13 am
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Please note that some questions were cut so this edition would not be too long for some to read.
If your question was cut, please let me know and I’ll slip it into my next addition which should come between the end of the regular season and the lottery.
Mhectorgato asks: The Magic only have 10 guys on the roster for next season, assuming that DeShawn picks up his option.
What off-season signings do you see us making?
Howard’s response: Next season, the following players are under contract
Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Darko Milicic, Grant Hill, Hedo Turkoglu, Carlos Arroyo, Pat Garrity, Keyon Dooling, Travis Diener
The following are or can become free agents
Deshawn Stevenson (player option)
Tony Battie
Mario Kasun
Stacey Augmon
Bo Outlaw
Trevor Ariza
With the salary cap figure unknown for the summer of 2007, Orlando has some very difficult decisions they will need to make as the payroll, 2006 draft pick, along with Darko Milicic’s qualifying offer is in the $28-32 million range for the 2007-2008 season.
This is without re-signing Deshawn Stevenson and Tony Battie this summer as it will cut significantly into their capspace if they do so.
2007 will be the main thing in Orlando’s mind when signing free agents and it is a weak pool this year.
At the most, look for the Magic to sign a role player with maybe half of the exception but do not expect much else other than signings to fill out the roster unless the Magic make a trade with Grant Hill’s expiring contract.
Tarheel and Shanks ask: With our cap room in '07, do you see us making a run at a star FA or getting a couple solid role players, which do you prefer, and who specifically do you see us going for?
Howard’s response: I think it will either be a star shooting guard or small forward since those are the positions of need with the other position hopefully filled by this year’s draft.
It is also possible Grant Hill’s expiring contract could be packaged for a player instead of the 2007 capspace.
As for who the Magic go for, It is still too early to tell as I have a strong hunch they will explore the trade route with Grant Hill’s expiring contract first.
y 2 a B asks: Do you see us using our cap space money for this summer, or the summer of '07, and what are some realistic free agents we could land?
Howard’s response: I can see the Magic using part of their Mid-Level Exception to land a role player that they like but not the whole thing. The draft choice will count anywhere from $2.5-$4.5 million.
A big concern is what will the salary cap be in 2007 which is mentioned above.
npiper17 asks: Is Jameer Nelson the long-term answer at the point guard spot for the Magic??
Great to see this column back again Howard.
Howard’s response: The two cornerstones of this team are said to be Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. While Nelson is not a true point guard, not a lot of point guards are in today’s game but the knocks on him will always be there.
Still, it is a little too early to tell as the Magic prefer a bigger point guard but at least Nelson will finally be the starting point guard with Steve Francis now in New York.
Drsd and cedric76 ask: History question: How did Howard become Ask Howard? That is, what evolution lead you to your current role here?
Howard’s response: To make a long story short I started in 2000 by just corresponding with President and CEO Ryan Hoak, that turned into me becoming Orlando Magic columnist and then a member of the staff.
The Ask Howard column was an idea by our former Magic affiliate site owner Mitya Mikhailov that spawned into this column.
UKMagic asks: Hypothetical scenarios:
It's lottery night, we're not making the playoffs.
If we pick top 3, who do you take and why?
If we pick top 7 who do you take and why?
If we pick late lottery who do you take and why?
Howard’s response: Well, the Magic make their selection on draft night.
Top-3: Adam Morrison: The Magic do not need Aldridge and Morrison gives them a scoring option they need.
Top-7: J.J. Redick. Great outside shooter who could turn out to be a similar version of Michael Redd.
Late Lottery: Too early to say as players will emerge in June. However, I do not expect the Magic to be picking around here either.
darkho-ward asks: Is there a possibility that if Garnett is on the market that the Magic will pursue Garnett with some sort of package like Hill's expiring contract, Jameer Nelson and their lottery pick from this year? A front line of Garnett, Milicic and Howard would be devastating for opponents.
Howard’s response: It is no secret that a trade to get Kevin Garnett out of Minnesota could happen. The Timberwolves are just exploring options now but are prepared to eventually deal Garnett.
It is very possible expiring contracts will be a part of any package for Garnett.
Do not be surprised if the Magic use Hill’s expiring contract to grab a player other than Garnett via trade instead of using the 2007 capspace.
Mfishy asks: Do you anticipate the magic making a major trade this offseason (possibly packaging the #1 pick and a player)?
Any word on why Ariza never plays?
Howard’s response: I seriously doubt there will be a trade with Orlando’s first-round pick.
It has a low salary and is likely to net a possible starter at either shooting guard or small forward with the other piece coming with the 2007 capspace.
As for Trevor Ariza, Brian Hill said they like him when he was acquired but I think Hill prefers to use Augmon instead for his defense to win games.
Hopefully, they give Ariza a look before the season ends.
INCUBUS* asks: Do you see Mario kasun being re-signed?
Howard’s response: Mario Kasun is probably in his final weeks with the team. Word has it he will go back to Europe as he is unlikely to get the money he wants in the U.S.
sportsrock37 asks: Welcome back Howard! I always enjoy your articles.
What do you think of Darko so far? What type of role do you see him in the future(like #2 scoring option and defensive stopper, etc) Also how do you see the Magic handling his contract that expires after next year?
Howard’s response: Well thank you, it is nice to have some time to write.
I really like what Darko has brought to the table defensively and his flashes offensively.
This summer he will know he is going to play next year and just knowing that he will not be glued to the bench is a major step in his development.
In the future (next year) I see Darko as a 2nd or 3rd scoring option with him continuing to be an inside presense on defense with his aggression and shot-blocking, which will be top-5 in the league.
As for his contract, the Magic might try to extend him depending on how much he wants it to start at.
Right now, his qualifying offer will be about $6.8 million so if the first year of an extension purposal is around that range, an extension could happen.
If not, the Magic will just let his qualifying offer count on the cap and then re-sign him after they are done with their free-agent business in 2007 if they go that route.
Mhectorgato asks: Allow me please to submit a question to use incase you chose to ignore the good doctor's question:
What do you feel are reasonable stats to expect from Darko and Dwight next season? Or in what areas should we expect to see improvement in their respective games?
Howard’s response: Here are my projections.
Dwight Howard: 18 PPG 12 RPG 2 BPG
Darko Milicic: 14 PPG 7.5 RPG 3 BPG
For Dwight Howard, he needs to develop more of a low post game and probably will by next season.
As for Darko Milicic, actually being able to play will be huge. Darko has a long way to go and needs to work on his entire game and getting stronger but just having confidence again and an opportunity is more than enough for him.
aleZ Cash asks: Has Otis kicked Dave out the door? Or he's spending the rest of his career on a spanish player?
Howard’s response: No, but it does seem like Otis Smith is the real GM with Dave Twardzik being the foreign scout.
Sources have told me basically this is pretty much the case.
Contact
If anyone would like me to follow up or has a question that they would like me to answer before my next addition, please send me an E-Mail howard.mass@realgm.com and I will find time from my busy semester at Beacon College to answer it. |
