With the addition of Carlos Arroyo, rumors are swirling about Steve Francis. Where will he end up? New York wants to unload Penny Hardaway's contract for Francis. I don't see this deal happening for the same reason we didn't keep Kelvin Cato on the books. There really aren't any outstanding players available this summer. The summer of 2007 looks to have a better crop of free agents. For this reason alone, I can see the Magic hanging on to Francis until the summer of 2007 when his contract might look attractive to potential sign-and-trade candidates.
Other rumors involve multiple teams - which seems to be a more likely scenario if a trade were to happen. The Magic have put together a nice young core. I believe the Magic will begin to explore trade possibilities to bring in a shooting guard or a center.
With a healthy Jameer Nelson and a solid backup in Arroyo, the point guard position is pretty healthy. Add in a healthy Grant Hill and solid backup of Hedo Turkoglu, the small forward position is solid. The shooting guard position is up for grabs. DeShawn Stevenson is my personal favorite; I like his energy and defense. Keyon Dooling has provided some solid minutes in the backup role. But, let's face it - neither are lighting up the scoreboard. Neither are capable of taking over a game in the final minutes when the game is on the line. Either the Magic move Francis to shooting guard - or they look to deal him for one.
Dwight Howard is a solid power forward and Darko Milicic will have a chance to prove himself in the backup role. Or will he? We might see him split minutes at power forward and center. I like the job that Mario Kasun does in the role, but he doesn't seem to get the playing time he needs. Tony Battie does a good job in the center position, but I belive this is where the Magic will focus their energy in the upcoming week. If they can land a solid starting center, then we could see Francis traded and possibly Tony Battie move to a backup role. This is where you might see the multi-team trade come in. Orlando wanted Nene over the summer, and the rumors are heaviest in a three-way deal with Denver and New York that would bring him to Orlando.
Of course, all of this is subject to change. Why just this morning a new rumor broke that had Francis going to Los Angeles in return for Lamar Odom. Personally, I just don't see the Magic going for this trade. Nothing against Odom, but he just doesn't fit well into this team. Houston has also been rumored to throw their name into the hat as well.
The Magic have some tradeable assets, no doubt about that. I can see playoff teams wanting a Francis, Pat Garrity or any number of Magic players to help solidify their run at a championship. Just don't expect the Magic to make a deal for the sake of moving players. There are likely to be just as good, if not better, deals available in the summer. If it were me, unless an exceptional deal presents itself, I stay with what I have and give big minutes to the young guys. We'll take what we get in the upcoming draft and work free agency and explore the trade market this summer.
