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The early consensus around the league paints this summer’s Maggette sweepstakes as a two-horse race between the Spurs and Magic.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....19e8e0f2.html
Maggette coveted by several teams
Web Posted: 07/02/2008 11:52 PM CDT
By Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs are expected to soon make an offer to free agent swingman Corey Maggette, if they haven’t done so already.
After that, the wait begins.
Maggette seems to be a popular man in the early stages of this summer’s NBA free-agency period, with as many as four other teams reported to have also contacted him to make known their interest.
To land him, the Spurs will have to outpitch the likes of Orlando, Utah, Boston and Miami — all of whom have made Maggette an offer, according to various news reports — as well as any other suitors who might emerge in the coming days.
Maggette, 28, became a free agent earlier this week after opting out of his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, with whom he had spent the past eight seasons.
With a week to go before the moratorium on free-agent signings ends July 9, the Spurs and Magic appear to be the front-runners for Maggette’s services.
The Spurs are believed to be willing to offer him a multi8year deal, starting with their midlevel exception worth $5.8 million for the first year, according to multiple league sources.
Newspaper reports out of New Orleans indicate the Hornets, who also have a midlevel exception to offer, might also have interest in Maggette.
Philadelphia, one of the few teams with enough salary cap space (around $11 million) to outbid the Spurs for Maggette, could join the fray as well. The 76ers, however, appear intent to first chase another free-agent swingman, Atlanta’s Josh Smith.
Golden State, having recently shed a $17.8 million contract when Baron Davis opted to sign with the Clippers, is another possible destination.
Maggette has suggested he would be willing to sacrifice the size of his paycheck to play for a proven winner.
The early consensus around the league paints this summer’s Maggette sweepstakes as a two-horse race between the Spurs and Magic.
Maggette spent his rookie season of 1999-2000 in Orlando, and his parents still maintain a home in the area. The Magic can offer Maggette roughly the same deal as the Spurs.
The Spurs’ purported interest in Maggette is not surprising. He would give them another athletic scorer on the wing, capable of creating his own shot.
Maggette has averaged 16.1 points over his nine-year career, and has produced three seasons of at least 20 points per game. He averaged 22.1 points last season.
The Spurs tried to trade for him during the 2006-07 season, but that deal fell through.
Utah also has expressed interest in Maggette in the past. The Jazz signed Maggette to an offer sheet in 2003, but the Clippers matched that offer to keep him in Los Angeles.
Ginobili in town: Spurs guard Manu Ginobili was back in San Antonio on Wednesday in attempts to shore up his status for next month’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
Ginobili has been battling inflammation in his left ankle throughout the summer, which has cast his availability for Argentina’s national team in doubt. He traveled from Argentina to San Antonio this week to receive another anti-inflammatory shot.
“I want to be Manu again at the Olympic Games,” he told the Argentine newspaper Clarin.
Ginobili’s ankle has been immobilized in a boot for the past two weeks. It will remain immobilized for four more days, after which time he will be re-examined.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has said Ginobili should “definitely not” play in the Olympics if his ankle has not sufficiently healed. Ginobili, who has been selected to carry his country’s flag in the opening ceremonies, agrees.
“If my ankle hurts in the middle of July, I will not go,” he told Clarin.
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The early consensus around the league paints this summer’s Maggette sweepstakes as a two-horse race between the Spurs and Magic.
Although we already know what McDonald will say before he writes something, thanks for posting. Best part about this is the Manu stuff.
Hope he is right.
"Maggette has suggested he would be willing to sacrifice the size of his paycheck to play for a proven winner."
Spurs can offer him the MLE, a starter position, and immediate le contention.
Orlando-not a proven winner
Utah-not a proven winner
Miami-rebuilding...can they even afford him?
Boston-proven winner, but can they offer more than the Spurs? He wouldn't be a starter.
Philadelphia-not a proven winner
Golden State-not a proven winner...probably rebuilding soon.
Ah, I hadn't even seen that line. If it really is between the Spurs and Magic, we have a very solid chance. I hope the "around the league" part means it's some execs thinking that and not just some lousy wannabes that just happen to work for a team.
Good news about Manu really. Don't mind him play for his country, but I would prefer he play healthy.
Still would be shocked if Maggette turned down more money to play for the Spurs. Lets hope the MLE is enough.
I'd put the Spurs' chances at around 20% right now. Not great but a lot better than the .1% I had them before the postseason began. It'll still take a number of events to go exactly right, including the teams under the salary cap finding and securing other targets, but it's looking about as good as could be hoped for at this point.
That said, hopefully the Spurs are coming up with plan B, C and D. I'm assuming they are since we're also hearing names such as Delfino, Hayes and Mason.
Eh, by the time July 9th comes around, people will expect C. Maggette to make
a decision.
I think he'll wait, just to see how much NBA teams want his services.
When that day comes, people here will and moan about why he hasnt made a choice.
Damn this is going to drag on forever....guess Delfino and Mason is plan B...
i hope those guys are plans x, y, and z, cause those guys are bums, and will only drop the average age of the team
ITs such a shame the Spurs just can't offer more.
Hes such a dang perfect fit.
I expect it to last a while. With the possibilities, Maggette would be dumb not to wait and see what happens with GS and Philly, but at the same time, he could lose out if they don't sign him, and the other teams targeting him already find someone else.
They are young for one thing
2 who WOULD YOU RATHER GO AFTER!??!!?
all you do is like a .
Hornets also have the MLE to offer him?
Newspaper reports out of New Orleans indicate the Hornets, who also have a midlevel exception to offer, might also have interest in Maggette.
The only thing bum about them is that you'll be bummed when if the Spurs don't at least get these guys and resign their own old free agents.
Any team over the salary cap has the MLE to offer.
Edit:Unless they are close to going over the luxury tax threshold, then in that case, they might not want to offer anything.
They are over the salary cap so yeah, i'm sure they have it.
I don't many teams that have used the MLE this year, so just about every team has it. Some teams don't need a SG/SF. Some teams are trying to free up cap space, other teams are trying to keep space open for 2009 or, especially, 2010.
Seems like everyone does... would suck if he went to the Hornets...
Hmmm....I just came across this guys...
Chris Duhon could decide this week's end if he wants to sign with Orlando Magic
By Tim Povtak and Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writers
11:03 PM EDT, July 2, 2008
Free-agent point guard Chris Duhon could finalize contract terms with the Orlando Magic by the end of the week after spending Wednesday with coaches, players and General Manager Otis Smith.
Duhon, who played the past four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, is scheduled to return home this morning, where he will decide whether to sign with the Magic, or the New York Knicks. He visited New York on Monday.
"The visit here went really well,'' said Kevin Bradbury, Duhon's agent, Wednesday night from his Orlando hotel room. "Chris wants to help a team win a championship. That's what Orlando is trying to do. That's different than a team looking to rebuild. He was flattered that a team of this caliber wants him.''
Free agents can begin signing July 9, but they can reach verbal agreements earlier.
The Magic were expected to offer Duhon a three-year deal worth close to $10 million.
The signing of Duhon would end any pursuit of Los Angeles Clippers guard Corey Maggette.
The Magic were one of several teams that let Maggette know July 1 that they could offer him a contract that started with the middle-class salary cap exception of $5.8 million. Maggette is hoping to receive a larger package.
Duhon would be coming to Orlando as a backup to starting point guard Jameer Nelson, giving the Magic a better defensive presence at the position. It also would end any possibility of re-signing Carlos Arroyo.
Although Duhon might have a better chance to start elsewhere, Bradbury said Duhon would be fine working behind Nelson.
"Chris just wants a well-defined role,'' Bradbury said. "He knows Jameer is the starter, but the Magic want him. Actions speak louder than words. He was the first free agent they brought in.''
Duhon played in 66 games last season, 18 as the starter. He averaged 22.8 minutes, 5.8 points and 4.4 assists.
He met with Coach Stan Van Gundy and Smith at the RDV Sportsplex during the day, then went out with several Magic players Wednesday evening.
"Out of respect for the teams that showed interest, we'd like to get something done (quickly),'' Bradbury said. "We won't hold anyone up.''
Also on Wednesday, Courtney Lee, the Magic's first-round draft choice, passed his physical and began practicing with the club's summer-league team. He has yet to sign his rookie contract, but he has a guaranteed tender that kicked in as soon as the Magic drafted him last Thursday. It protects him in case of injury.
Lee's agent, Jason Levien, said Wednesday that Lee and the Magic would come to terms soon.
"We're going to get it done this weekend, within the next several days," he said. He is expected to sign a four-year, $6 million contract.
The Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics and New Jersey Nets join the Magic in the summer-league games beginning Monday afternoon at RDV Sportsplex. Patrick Ewing will coach the Magic. The games are not open to the public.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,2483343.story
Last edited by crc21209; 07-03-2008 at 12:25 AM.
Spurs and Magic can offer Maggette the same basic spiel. That is, take the MLE for 3 years with an option after the 2nd year to become a free agent in the summer of 2010, at which time we'll take care of you. Orlando has roughly $39 mil in salary currently slated for the 2009-10 season. The Spurs have $34 mil. Orlando might have a decision to make with Turkoglu, just like the Spurs will have with Ginobili. Orlando will have the Amway dog and pony show with brunch at Tiger's house. The Spurs will have the mariachi show with a guest performance by George Strait. Orlando offers playing in a less stacked conference and playing in his hometown. Spurs offer playing on a championship proven squad for which he could help land Larry O'Brien #5.
i'd rather us just go in with the guys we have now, these guys won't make a of difference
and , all you do is follow me around like a , get off my , if you don't like what i have to say stop reading, that ing simple, my user name is right next to the post, as soon as you see it scroll down, or go to my profile and add to ignore list, simple as that
i won't be bummed, these guys won't make a off difference, right now it's maggette or bust for me, and we probably don't have that high a chance to get him so i'd just rather stay the same even if it does mean another early exit from the playoffs
Its so funny how free agents know their pecking order. Its always the big fish, then the next wave, then the next. Its like they know exactly the caliber of player they are and know when its their turn to make a decision. I assume magette will wait o see what happens with josh smith. As much as we all want it to happen, I think money will ring dominate over winner.
Looks like GS or Philly for Maggs..
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