http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/Home_Alone_DVD_box.jpg

^darko's reaction to news.

Can the Magic still use their MLE on darko? lol Darko was expecting a bigger contract but now that can kiss his ass

Can the Magic still use their MLE on darko? lol Darko was expecting a bigger contract but now that can kiss his ass

Not only that, they had to have renounced his rights in order to sign Lewis.

Darko is an unrestricted FA now.

Magic have a very expensive 4-5 with 150 million guaranteed at those positions. Granted lewis and Howard compliment each other well, but they need some help still.

Anyway...


Marc Cornstein's phone

...crickets...

Sign Darko and start him at center. Theres a guy who scores on the low block and blocks shots. Sign G Hill with the vet minimum and your 07-08 Pistons with minutes included are

Billups 30/Stuckey 18
Hamilton 34/Afflalo 14
Prince 32/Hill 16
Wallace 30/Maxiell 18
Milicic 26 /McDyess 22

Actually, signing Darko makes sense. He is athletic, and is without a doubt the best C available. I would rather have him than Hill. Plus it would make Stuckey a free pick for us. Unlike before, we could actually give Darko the starting nod this time. I would also like Hill, but I am certain he will go to Phoenix if the money is the same. DBTM, that lineup I would be very happy with, but Afflalo would probably be out, giving us a solid 9 man rotation.

It is definitely time for Dumars to swallow his pride and get Darko at the MLE.

i don't think it's Joe D's ego that will get in the way.

no way Darko comes back to play in Detroit, IMO.

Some of you guys are nuts. Totally nuts.

I can't believe that there is a Piston fan alive that wants to let that guy steal more money from this franchise.

There is a reason that we traded him. There is a reason that Orlando pulled their extension offer off the table after actually seeing the guy play. There is a reason that his agent's phone didn't ring at 12:01am.

He's bad news guys, bad news.

He sucked with a contract on the line, and obviously Orlando didn't want to see what he did once he got paid and had even less motivation to work hard.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if he's out of the league in 5 years or less. I think he'll get passed around to 2 or 3 more teams first, soley based on his size and age.

This locks up Billups to Detroit, IMO.

the only worthy fate is if Darko and LB somehow end up on the same team. it'd be destiny. it'd also be a great premise for a cheesy 90's sitcom....

I agree with Glenn. One of the most telling things about Darko's makeup is the season he had last year, it was all over the place. Every time he played himself into an extension or great FA offer, he quickly quashed the thought with inconsistent, uninspired, foul laced, and lazy efforts. Only Darko age's and amount of healthy liver has changed since he was drafted.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2007-07/30937245.jpg

Either that's photoshopped or Lewis just plowed him over. Darko would never get on the floor for a loose ball. That consists of effort.

If my math is correct, if they lose Lewis and get nothing in return, after they sign Durant and Green, the Sonics will be at roughly $55m in payroll.

I was checking to see if this created any cap room for them, but if it does, it's minimal.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Greene000/Busto.jpg

Burning bridges in Orlando?


Milicic's agent Marc Cornstein said the move took him by surprise. He said Magic GM Otis Smith called him earlier in the day to tell him the team wanted to keep Milicic and would begin exploring ways to make it happen.

"I think it is unfortunate how dishonest and deceitful Otis Smith and the Orlando Magic have been in the process," Cornstein said. "However, I think it can be a good thing for Darko. I believe Darko is the most coveted free agent in the market now. We are excited to get a fresh start with a team that truly believes in him."


"There has been a pattern of deception here," Cornstein said. "It started with Otis making an offer and the pulling it. He told us in private Darko was his No. 1 priority this offseason."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2925284

Cornstein's cornhole is on public display.

cornstein has been in over his head from day one. does he have any other clients?

http://www.pinnaclehoops.com/Clients/index.php

The salary cap numbers mean that free agent Rashard Lewis of Seattle will get a $90.764 million deal from the Orlando Magic if he signs with them for five years.

If, however, the Seattle SuperSonics and Magic can agree to a sign-and-trade deal, Lewis would get a six-year pact.

Florida Today's John Denton is reporting that Orlando has indeed agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Sonics that will allow Lewis to make $126.4 million over the next six seasons, according to NBA sources who requested anonymity. The Magic will send back a second-round pick to the Sonics.

Chauncey must be kicking himself.

Why did they agree to that deal? The Sonics weren't going to match their last offer.

Expiring contracts -- all sorts of nice little trade piece.
And besides, overpaying just screws Orlando even more.

I'm talking about Orlando. What was Lewis going to do? Not sign for $75 million, or whatever the first one was for.

Is Lewis really a $20mill a year player?

Doesn't a S&T allow you to get the FA for an extra year because the team with his rights can sign him to one year longer? That would be the only reason to do it.

Is Lewis really a $20mill a year player?


Yes

Good call Chris. That's exactly the case. This new contract is 6 years.

guess the magic figured they had to ridiculously overpay for someone else, since they couldn't overpay hill anymore.

Expiring contracts -- all sorts of nice little trade piece.
And besides, overpaying just screws Orlando even more.
Did they get expiring contracts in return though? I thought it was just a 2nd round pick.

they had to have gotten some expiring deals or else the deal wouldn't work within the salary cap. they might have some wiggle under the cap but not $15-20 million.

Arroyo, Dooling, and Garrity could make it close to working, though I suspect they try to package Hedo.

I didn't think Rashard was worth $15 million/year -- no way do I think he's worth $20 million/year.

they had to have gotten some expiring deals or else the deal wouldn't work within the salary cap. they might have some wiggle under the cap but not $15-20 million.

I thought that too, but I can't find any report (other than day-old rumors) of players heading to Seattle, just the pick.

I know the Magic had cap room, but I didn't think they had that much.

I thought that too, but I can't find any report (other than day-old rumors) of players heading to Seattle, just the pick.

I know the Magic had cap room, but I didn't think they had that much.
They actually have the space. They'd only be at 54 mil with Lewis there (if his first year is 15 mil). That's with Darko renounced mind you. Perhaps the numbers you saw before were without him renounced.

The reason it's so low is because Hill's fat contract is gone and Howard is underpaid (6 mil). They have a couple shitty big men but even they only take up 8 mil total in space.

So are there players going to Seattle or just a pick?

Howard is underpaid, but only until this afternoon when they will give him an extension right after they sign Lewis.

What is the extension amount? I would imagine he gets paid at least what Lewis does (or that would be insulting). If you add another 9 mil into their cap number they are almost to the tax level, and definately over the cap.

Howard is apparently getting 5 years/$85m, which is probably why they'll sign Lewis first with their cap room and then re-sign Howard over the cap

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070711/SPORTS/707110371/1002/SPORTS

No players going to Seattle, just the pick.

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Rashard_Lewis_Release-231371-800.html


MAGIC ACQUIRE RASHARD LEWIS IN A SIGN-AND-TRADE DEAL WITH SEATTLE
Former NBA All-Star forward brings scoring prowess to Orlando

July 11, 2007

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Rashard Lewis from the Seattle SuperSonics in a sign-and-trade deal in exchange for a future conditional second round draft pick, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Rashard (Lewis) is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league,” said Smith. “We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family.”

Lewis (6’10”, 230, 8/8/79) played in 60 games last season with Seattle, averaging a career-high 22.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 39.1 minpg. He ranked 11th in the NBA in minutes played, 27th in free throw percentage (.841) and tied for 27th in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 151-of-387 (.390) from beyond the arc. Lewis scored in double figures a team-high-tying 57 times, including 41 games of 20-plus points and 30-or-more points eight times. He led (or tied) the Sonics in scoring 25 times, including a season-best 36 points on Dec. 18 @ Memphis, in rebounding 17 times and in assists four times. Lewis recorded 13 double-doubles. He missed 22 games (Dec. 23-Feb. 7) due to an injury to the tendon sheath on the back of his right hand.

Lewis has played in 617 career NBA regular season games, all with Seattle, averaging 16.6 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.7 apg. and 1.15 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg. He has also appeared in 16 career playoff games, averaging 15.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 34.3 minpg. Lewis has averaged at least 20 points per game in three straight seasons and was an NBA All-Star in 2005. He poured in a career-high 50 points on Oct. 31, 2003 vs. L.A. Clippers (in Japan), which is the fifth-highest single-game point total in team history.

Originally selected by Seattle during the second round (32nd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, Lewis ranks among the all-time leaders in the SuperSonics’ 40-year history. He stands first in three-point field goals made (973), second in three-point field goals attempted (2,519), fourth in points (10,251) and minutes played (20,921), and sixth in rebounds (3,595), blocked shots (362) and games played (617).

Which means they have no more room for FA's. So they cannot add another big man to replace Darko. Either Lewis plays out of position at PF (can't imagine they'd do that full time as guys like Randolph and Sheed would own him), or they start Battie and have nothing but Garrety as depth.

Maybe they would be receptive to a Nazr deal.

So that amounts to one massive trade exemption for the Sonics then, or do I misunderstand? If I'm correct, that puts them in any of the talks for stars.

$9 million trade exemption.

That is interesting. GSW has a $10m one too.

Which means they have no more room for FA's. So they cannot add another big man to replace Darko. Either Lewis plays out of position at PF (can't imagine they'd do that full time as guys like Randolph and Sheed would own him), or they start Battie and have nothing but Garrety as depth.

Maybe they would be receptive to a Nazr deal.

Well, they do have some expiring deals to play with, so getting a "decent" C (if they even exist) might not be a big problem.

Seattle would be a good candidate to hand Flip Murray over to...

Dunno if the sonics would want Nazr.

Seattle would be a good candidate to hand Flip Murray over to...

Dunno if the sonics would want Nazr.

Seattle let Flip go though. He did pretty well there I guess, but would they want him back?

Seattle let Flip go though. He did pretty well there I guess, but would they want him back?

...because they could use a cheap scoring guard?

It's not like they have a lot there right now without Allen.

A lot probably depends on Wally's health. If he's good to go, they are paying him too much to not play him. They could probably use Delonte West at the 2 to back him up.

I've been wondering if they are going to move one of their PGs (Watson, Ridnour, West), but I keep reading that they are looking to ADD a PG, which I'm not sure I understand.

Maybe they are looking for a cheap PG that would allow them to move Watson or Ridinour (which I'm sure they could find a taker for).

that's one hell of a trade exception.

Looks like the Magic had to make a few moves to make room for Lewis, lol.


The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Darko Milicic.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Grant Hill.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Andrew DeClercq.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Stacey Augmon.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Jaren Jackson.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Mark Jones.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Shawn Kemp.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Sean Rooks.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Bo Outlaw.

The Orlando Magic renounced their veteran free agent rights toward Olumide Oyedeji.

The Orlando Magic renounced their their 2007-2008 Mid-Level Exception.

The Orlando Magic renounced their their 2007-2008 Bi-Annual Exception.

Are those Glenn edits?:emo kid:

Nope, all legit.