This article sounds like these Boards: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...ptmagic14051403may14,0,4292154.story?coll=orl Magic look to add 2 starters to their roster By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted May 14, 2003 Should the Orlando Magic receive a medical exception for Grant Hill next season, they triple their chances of acquiring some solid players through free agency and/or trades. Veteran big men Brad Miller, Michael Olowokandi, P.J. Brown, Elden Campbell, Juwan Howard and Derrick Coleman plus aging stars Gary Payton and Scottie Pippen might not be out of reach if the Magic have two $4.6 million exceptions to offer. All are free agents. If it is decided Hill won't play next season -- a scenario Magic General Manager John Gabriel won't rule out -- the club could have three exceptions available: Hill's disabled player's exception (about $4.6 million), a middle-class exception (about $4.6 million) and a veteran's exception ($1.2 million). The NBA doesn't allow a team to combine the exceptions toward the signing of a star free agent. The Magic couldn't add them up and, say, offer Indiana Pacers star Jermaine O'Neal a contract starting at $10 million next season. But teams can split a $4.6 exception between two players, as the Magic did when they signed Horace Grant and Patrick Ewing two seasons ago. If they are granted a medical exception for Hill, the Magic could use it in a trade without having to include any other players that usually are needed to balance the books. One such rumored scenario for Orlando could involve Golden State big man Adonal Foyle. The Magic likely need two starters -- a point guard and a center -- and they'll need to add more talented and athletic role players. The Detroit Pistons exposed Orlando's depth in a seven-game playoff series victory. The Magic would like to stay relatively young, and will try to find a point guard in a guard-heavy NBA draft. Payton still is intriguing at 34, although he likely can earn more than $4.6 million elsewhere. Centers such as the Pacers' Miller and the Clippers' Olowokandi also could command more in the market, but sometimes players misjudge the market and end up taking less. The Magic and Brown have had their eyes on each other for years. But the Lakers may emerge as the Magic's chief competition for Brown if L.A. can't land Karl Malone. Howard would be a steal for Orlando for the middle-class exception. Magic Coach Doc Rivers was a huge Andre Miller fan when Miller played point guard with Cleveland. But his game has slipped, and he will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Clippers can match any offer. The Magic could use their $1.2 million exception to pick up backup guards such as Antonio Daniels, Rod Strickland or Kenny Anderson. Orlando also could use another wingman after the loss of Hill and the trade of Mike Miller. Other free agents who could be available include center Radoslav Nesterovic, power forwards Gary Trent, Tyrone Hill and Charles Oakley, small forwards Darvin Ham, Kendall Gill and Stephen Jackson and guards Speedy Claxton and Jimmy Jackson.
What is intresting is that they could use this exception aquire 2 players and then Grant Hill could come back later in the season, if healthy, and play for Orlando. So essentially you have C - Foyle (Free Agent), P.J. Brown (Free Agent) PF - Gooden SF - Grant SG - McGrady PG - Luke Ridnour (Draft) That is a decent line up! Even if Grant doesn't come back, Orlando still has Giricek who has shown he is as good as Mike Miller. Look for Orlando to seriously compete for the East next year.
Would they be dumb enough to take Moochie off our hands, using the Grant Hill medical exception (if they get it)?
