[Orlando Sentinel] Rockets might be interested in Mobley this offseason

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Weisbrod unwilling to part with these 2
Published December 14, 2004

Cat and Pat.

When Magic General Manager John Weisbrod talks with other clubs, it is the names of Cuttino "Cat" Mobley and Pat Garrity that he hears the most.

Weisbrod says he'd like to save teams some hefty phone bills. "I'm not looking to trade Cat or Pat," he says.

Not that he doesn't listen.

While the Magic's rousing turnaround is impressive, Weisbrod does worry about the club's defensive shortcomings -- and what might happen if point guard Steve Francis is injured.

Weisbrod seemingly would rather part with an appendage than lose Garrity, a gritty forward with a sweet shot.

Garrity would probably get more playing time if he were on a team that had an inside presence. More 3-point attempts would be available as defenders collapse. But, no, Miami Heat General Manager Shaquille O'Neal has not called.

Several teams are looking for a shooting guard. Mobley, who can opt out of his contract after the season, has been all but auditioning during this West Coast swing.

According to league sources, the Utah Jazz will make a run at signing Mobley this offseason. Currently a bargain at $6 million, Mobley gave the Jazz an impressive sneak peek, hitting seven 3-point shots and scoring 26 points.

The Denver Nuggets, who could be shopping for Cat, also got to see him. Mobley scored 17 points in the Nuggets' rout. The New Jersey Nets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Philadelphia 76ers and Cat's old team, the Houston Rockets, might be interested as well.

And Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers always has been a Cat fan.

Maybe it would make sense for Weisbrod to try to get a deal done soon with Mobley -- whose asking price could be $8-$10 million a year -- but says he'll wait until the summer. "We have to see what our team looks like," Weisbrod said, meaning he's not through rebuilding.

Weisbrod might have no choice but to wait: Mobley reminded us recently that he's 29 and looking for a big deal after taking "a pay cut" in Houston.

Weisbrod would hate to tinker with the Magic's chemistry, but acknowledges, "It's my nature to never be pleased with what we've done. I'm always thinking about how we can make it better."

Getting Trumped up

Grant Hill's pregame read the other day: Think Like A Billionaire, by Donald Trump. . . . Weisbrod is not daunted by critics who say he'll likely overpay for Mobley during a free-agent feeding frenzy. "People thought we overpaid for Hedo Turkoglu, too," he said. Turk looks like a good buy at six years, $39 million. . . . Magic assistant coach Clifford Ray says when he was on Golden State's staff, he pleaded with the Warriors to draft Amare Stoudemire over Mike Dunleavy. "Shouldn't your first pick be able to win a game by himself?" Ray asked.

More assists for Smith

He was the quiet man when he played for the Magic. Otis Smith is still the quiet man as the team's director of player development, but he's effective working behind the scenes.

It's the little things he does to assure better team dynamics.

Usually, rookies Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson sit next to each other on the team plane. But for the long flights on their West Coast trip, Smith rearranged the seating chart. He split up Howard and Nelson and put them next to Grant Hill and Pat Garrity so they can learn from veterans at 30,000 feet as well as on the floor.

They got next

Wednesday: Magic at San Antonio Spurs. Oh, playing in the East never felt so good.

Saturday: Denver Nuggets at Magic. Magic were whipped in Denver. Maybe they'll unpack their defense for this one.

Sunday: Magic at Miami Heat. Teams are playing well at the same time again. Time to rekindle a fun, ferocious rivalry, even though Shaq's on the other side.

 

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