--F Brandon Bass signed a four-year, $18 million free agent contract with Orlando, according to reports. Bass, a backup with Dallas last season, figures to start for the Magic.
--The Magic obtained a $9 million trade exception from Toronto when they agreed to do a sign-and-trade that sent Hedo Turkoglu to the Raptors. Although general manager Otis Smith would not elaborate on his plans to use it, the exception gives him added flexibility as the team moves forward. He has a year to use it. A trade exception would allow him to trade a $2 million player and get an $11 million player in return by using the exception. --Magic general manager Otis Smith matched the qualifying offer that Dallas gave to Marcin Gortat (five years, $34 million), keeping the forward/center in Orlando.
--This will be the first year in which the Magic likely will pay the luxury tax. In the past they always avoided it, but by trading for Vince Carter and filling out the rest of the roster, the payroll is expected to be almost $10 million over the $69.9 million threshold.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a perfect fit for the way we play." -- Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, on newly acquired Ryan Anderson.
