When you look at the expectations of the team for this year and consider SVG's style and personality combined with all the new players, injuries, illnesses and suspension in addition to, dare I say, Howard and Nelson's regression so far, I guess this situation was not a matter of if but when. I hope the air is cleared and all can move forward. Guess we'll see tonight... I wonder if we would be reading this story today if Dwight were averaging 22 points or better, leading the league in rebounding and blocks and had seriously improved his FT shooting?

I don't know him personally, but based on those that cover the Magic, most all agree Foyle is a "good guy" in the locker room and in the community. Maybe that's a necessary luxury for the team. And if so, so be it. But I disagree regarding his value as a player. He's not going to play ahead of Gortat or Bass. And I'm pretty sure it's Gortat vs Howard in practice. I guess if and when Foyle returns, Gortat sits. Yes Kane, the Magic can sign two additional players. But those two remaining roster spots are open due to economics and flexibility. If healthy and winning, there's no need to add players, payroll and tax. But if things start to wobble, moves will be made. If the Magic has more than thirteen players on the roster toward the end of the season and can save tax $ by waiving a player, then Foyle tops the list . Until then Foyle is an ambassador ala Bo Outlaw.

Oops. Foyle is the 13th player and that's the minimum required by the league. In order to waive Foyle, the Magic would have to sign another player...perhaps a point guard...

I gotta agree irishmafia. If he were to return healthy, he would be the fourth center on the depth chart. Not much PT there. I wonder: If the Magic waive him prior to the end of the regular season, does his apprx. $1.3M comes off the luxury tax bill. I understand the lux tax is based on end of season payroll...

Ooops. Flagrant 1 on me for misspelling your name. Sorry.

Tanai, Like most I feel a flagrant foul should be called on Stern/Jackson for these fines. But they're not going to change their ruling. However, since SVG doesn't complain to the league office after games, his statements in your piece are about as close to an appeal as we'll read. Perhaps we as fans should make appeals on his behalf by emailing Jackson/Stern at the league office. I'm not talking about derogatory, hate mails, but courteous requests to reconsider their actions. Give me a good email address, and I'll take a couple of minutes to request a review.

Aron. 3QC stands for thirdquartercollapse.com, an Orlando Magic sports blog site.

Hey Doc, if winning it all is what it takes, then why the Cavs and not the Magic??? I'm with you on the "take it to 'em" statement. And that's exactly what it will take. I, like all Magic fans, feel strongly that we're going to be a very good team this year. But by playoff time, I think we could be a great team.

Speaking of matchups vs Cavs and Lebron, it will probably be a combination of Barnes and Pietrus due to the foul calls James will get. But what about Bass on James along with Rashard and Dwight on Varejao and Shaq? I don't know if Bass is quick enough to hang with James, but he's certainly equal physically.

Not freaking out, just responding to other posts and trying to get it right. Why does that bother you so? If you have no interest in the discussion, then it's all about the put down with you. Perhaps you should examine your life. I wish you well.

Beta721, Aron, help. I can't find confirmation Lue signed with a Greek team. I've found several articles dated @ 9-6 and 9-7 where he rejected the Greek team's,PAOK, offer. Perhaps he signed after 9-7 but there's no mention of a Lue signing on the eurobasket.com site. Please give me directions to a site or link as I would like to know. Thanks.

Do you mean Tyron Lue? If so he remains a FA. I think he would have been a last or near last resort at resigning with the Magic. But is's moot unless something happens to AJ or J-Will.

Kay, I think the Bulls hold his draft rights.

Tania, Watson will be restricted again next summer as he will have less than the required four years tenure for unrestricted status. Golden State now has five PGs under contract. I can't see all five on the roster past the trade deadline. Some will be traded or waived. Gortat scoring 21...that's impressive.

If he's unsigned, he's available. If he signed as reported, Golden State has 15 players under contract and 5 are point guards. Something has to give...

Hey Mike, perhaps going from the finals to a lottery team, from Dwight's little buddy to an opponent and from Florida to New Jersey might have something to do with his current attitude. If this motivates him and he improves, then so be it. He's already a good young player and seems like a nice person. He could average 15 - 20 points next season, but it won't matter because it's in a losing cause. And as Aron points out, Courtney will not be the 5th or 6th option at Jersey. He'll be more prominent and defensive minded coaches will prepare accordingly. SVG was an ardent supporter of acquiring Carter to replace Turk in terms of productivity. I'm anxious to see how the coaching staff utilizes the talent. And I agree Anderson was a key part of the trade. I hope he's good enough to merit playing time.

Aron, that's a good point:J-Will for T-Lue. And as of today, CJ Watson remains unsigned and therefore available. I think Otis's offer of AJ, 1st and cash is out there and could happen. If so, then Watson/Williams is a serious upgrade over AJ/Lue. If not, then there's always the trade deadline moves and next summer. Neckst, just my opinion, but I don't see Nelson at the two.

I'm surprised Otis offered a first plus cash, and I'm more surprised Golden State didn't take it. It's easy for me to say but Watson should take the qualifying offer and become unrestriced next summer. From the above list I like Flip Murray also. He can score. But what about Luther Head? Did he sign overseas? He's a career 39% three point shooter and put up decent stats early on with Houston. I dont' know his game or attitude, but shouldn't he get a mention? If Otis does go for one of these free agents rather than trying to make a trade for an established backup, sign him to a one and done deal. Next summer Steve Blake, Duhon, perhaps Watson and others will be unrestricted and most likely affordable with a portion of the mid level.

Plan B. I like offering a portion of the traded player exception dollars to New Jersey for Keyon Dooling. It could happen because NJ has 15 players under contract and would like the flexibility of 14. With Alston and Dooling, NJ doesn't need two well paid backup PGs to Harris. So one is probably available and saves NJ some payroll this year. This deal doesn't work because the salaries of Dooling ($3.5M) and Alston (@ 5M) are more than the Magic are willing to take on because of the luxury tax hit. That's why Watson at about $2M was plan A.

If true and Watson accepts that means Golden State has 14 players under contract and 5 are point guards. Something has to give. I remain hopeful for a S & T with the Magic. If not and I'm Watson, I think I would take the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. If not and I'm Otis then it's on to plan B.

JD, we agree JJ's $2.8M salary could be used more effeciently. I've said before, of the eleven players under contract, JJ and AJ are the most likely to be traded. Other than their expiring contracts they don't have much value. Anything is possible as long as Watson remains unsigned. Here's the thing with Barnes: As you pointed out, he has a player option at @ $1.6M for the 2010 - 2011 season. This is at or near the minimum for his tenure. Therefore Barnes will most certainly opt out making this year a contract year for him. He seems like a good fit for the team and I expect him to be a productive contibutor. If so then he's due a decent contract offer to resign. And his next contract will probably be his last chance for a good deal. Perhaps in the $3M per year range which would be around the qualifying offer to JJ. If Barnes has a very good year, some team could offer their full mid level which would put Otis in a payroll pickle...But that's for next summer.

JD, please go to Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ site at www.cbafaq.com and read item #41: First round draft picks operate under a different set of rules. In the second paragraph he writes "Rookie scale contracts are always for two seasons, with team options for third and fourth seasons." It's my understanding Ryan Anderson is in the second year of his rookie deal, and the Magic may or may not pick up the option years. Anderson would become a free agent only if the Magic decline their option.

Patrick, I think we're in agreement that Watson is the best available backup to Nelson. I also wouldn't burn a 1st rounder to get him. I could be off base here, but I feel Otis wants to minimize additional payroll by trading either Redick or Johnson to obtain Watson for a similar salary. If successful, then he fills the remaining two roster slots with minimums. Otis can't offset a potential $2 - 2.5M salary to Watson by trading the TPE and or a pick. The problem with trading Johnson or Redick is Golden State doesn't need them and a third team would be required.

Adam, I wish a team could create a point guard, but I agree with Patrick when it comes to Redick and Jason Williams. Also, Otis can't trade Ty Lue and Adonal Foyle because they're free agents and not under contract.

JD, I'm pretty sure Jeremy Richardson signed to play in Europe. Also, Ryan Anderson is in the second year of his rookie deal and will not be a free agent next summer. Years three and four are team option years.