Magic have the same building plan

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Magic exploring several options

By Jerry Brewer | Sentinel Staff Writer 
Posted May 25, 2003 


Don't think the Orlando Magic are content to sit at No. 15 in the NBA draft, 
select the best point guard left and declare their problems at that position 
solved.

Don't even assume that the draft is their only avenue to acquire an exciting, 
young playmaker.

Between now and training camp, the Magic will be thorough in selecting a 
player, or players, to address their most important need.

They have to be. It's probably the toughest position to fill.

"You've got to be creative," General Manager John Gabriel said. "There are 
not many out there. You can find out a lot about the availability of point 
guards by looking at the depth chart of every team. How many clubs have enough 
depth that they could afford to lose one or any? None."

Teams such as Sacramento and Dallas, who have two quality point guards, know 
the importance of hanging onto those players. Nowadays, because it is so tough 
to find do-it-all playmakers, there is a need for two floor leaders with 
different skills.

The Magic have Darrell Armstrong, who will be a free agent July 1 but should 
re-sign. They want to pair the energetic, hustling, change-of-pace Armstrong 
with at least an equivalent talent whose attributes could include size, a knack 
for driving and dishing and the ability to create his own shot.

Orlando would prefer to find that player through the draft and add him to a 
young core that includes Tracy McGrady, Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek, who all 
are 25 and under.

In order to have their pick of the best point guards, the Magic may have to 
move up in the draft. Of the teams ahead of them, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, 
Washington, Golden State and Seattle all will consider selecting a point guard. 
Orlando might have to climb into the No. 10-12 area in order to get the 
player it wants.

The Magic might have some trade options.

Before Thursday's NBA draft lottery, Gabriel said, "If it's so warranted, 
there are definitely better trade partners than other teams. Where teams fall in 
the lottery may affect our success in the draft."

Orlando didn't want too many surprises in the lottery, and there weren't 
many. Several teams stocked with young talent that fell late in the lottery may be 
willing to trade out, but you must question what the Magic can offer them. 
Chicago (No. 7), Washington (No. 10) and Seattle (No. 12 and then No. 14) all 
fall into this category.

In a draft full of point-guard options, the Magic are expected to want the 
best of these three players: Oregon's Luke Ridnour, Kansas' Kirk Hinrich and 
Louisville's Reece Gaines. The top point guard in the draft, Texas' T.J. Ford, is 
probably out of their reach. There are also several other intriguing 
candidates who could impress Orlando during pre-draft workouts, including Brazil's 
Leandrinho Barbosa, Notre Dame's Chris Thomas and UNLV's Marcus Banks.

If the Magic cannot move up in the draft and don't like the options at point 
guard at No. 15, expect them to take the best player available and shift the 
playmaker hunt to free agency.

Players such as Gary Payton and Andre Miller could be there, but at what 
price? The Magic likely can offer only the estimated $4.6 million mid-level 
exception.

More than anything, the Magic need players this summer. You can define them 
by position -- point guard, center and backup wing player -- but they want 
versatile athletes who can take pressure off McGrady.

Magic Coach Doc Rivers states his team's needs thusly: "Toughness, toughness, 
some more toughness. And skill."

He's talking about mental and physical toughness. And he wants enough 
athletes to play traditional basketball instead of gimmick basketball.

"We'll get into as many specifics as we can," Gabriel said of addressing 
needs, "but we've got to be creative."