DRAFT PICKS: Courtney Lee, G, 6-5, Western Kentucky -- He gives the Magic a shooting guard who can hit a mid-range jump shot and an athlete who should be able to become a good defender. The Magic also believe that Lee could end their string of bad middle-of-the-first-round draft picks that have included J.J. Redick (No. 11, 2006), Fran Vazquez (No. 11, 2005), Reece Gaines (No. 15, 2003), Ryan Humphrey (No. 19, 2002), Steven Hunter (No. 15, 2001) Jeryl Sasser (No. 22, 2001) and Johnny Taylor (No. 17, 1997).
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Magic signed G/F Mickael Pietrus from Golden State to a four-year, $22 million deal. They signed point guard Anthony Johnson, who last played in Sacramento, to a two-year, $3.8 million contract. Of their own free agents, the Magic let most of them leave, unwilling to pay what the players were asking. G Keyon Dooling left for New Jersey as part of a sign-and-trade deal. G Carlos Arroyo went to Israel. G Maurice Evans, a starter at shooting guard last season, signed in Atlanta with the Hawks, who had lost Josh Childress. James Augustine, the little-used power forward, was waived. The Magic did re-sign C Adonal Foyle, who had opted out of contract earlier in the summer, hoping to find something better. When he couldn't find anything else, he returned for the same veteran's minimum that he would have received under his previous contract.
PLAYER NOTES:
--C Marcin Gortat, the only player from Poland in the NBA, has returned to Orlando and is working out this summer after a brief return to his native country. Gortat became the Magic's backup center in the playoffs, replacing Adonal Foyle. Both will be on the roster this season.
--F Pat Garrity, who has been with the Magic nine years, longer than anyone else, said he wants to play another season in Orlando. Although he was mostly a practice player last season, the Magic may bring him back at the end of a 15-man roster. If he doesn't get a job in Orlando, he will likely retire.
--G Courtney Lee, the team's first-round draft pick, looked good during the Summer League in Orlando. Lee averaged 20 points during the Summer League, and he continues to work out with Magic coaches in Orlando.
--G J.J. Redick may be back in Orlando, but it's getting tougher to see him getting any real playing time. It could be even worse than his first two seasons. After drafting Lee and signing Pietrus (both at his position), he is not hopeful of a future in Orlando. Also still on the roster is Keith Bogans, who also played in front of him last season.
Play FOX Fantasy Football Today >
