John Denton Speculates

floridatoday.com :: ABDUR-RAHIM MIGHT BE AN OPTION; REDICK STILL OUT

Excerpts:

Magic fans desperate to see Orlando upgrade its smallish frontline might want to remember this name: Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The power forward has averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds over his career and his rugged 6-foot-9, 245-pound frame would give the Magic some much-needed size at power forward.

Sacramento starting the rebuilding process and is turning the focus of its team over to Kevin Martin and rookie center Spencer Hawes.

Abdur-Rahim is represented by Aaron Goodwin... Goodwin also represents the Magic’s Howard and assuredly would like to get his top client some big-man support in Orlando.

Otis Smith can’t comment specifically about players on other teams, but he did say this Monday: ``Yeah, we’re looking. But we’ve been looking. There’s just not a lot out there available right now.’’
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Magic guard J.J. Redick was again limited in practice on Monday and won’t dress for Tuesday’s home game against the Seattle SuperSonics. Redick has been out for a week with back spasms.

Redick went through a hour-long workout prior to Saturday’s game and worked on his shooting some in Monday’s workout. He’ll likely miss Wednesday’s game in Cleveland as well, and is a possibility to play Friday in New Jersey.

If Sacramento wants to keep Artest after this year they could certainly use the cap relief. Ron Artest has a player option for next year. Reggie Theus has stopped playing Abdur-Rahim over the last three games and Abdur-Rahim is said to be upset. Artest is yet to play do to yet another suspension, so the minutes will really shrink for A-R.

This team is really shaping up under SVG's superior coaching, but it's clear from the Detroit and Phoenix games that if the Magic want to break into the upper tier they need to add another quality big to the rotation. Unfortunately, it is never clear that the Magic want to break into the upper tier of the NBA by adding the last few necessary pieces.