"It's very possible," Smith said. "We really like Jeremy."

Richardson's contract would have been guaranteed for the rest of the season if he had been on the roster after Wednesday.

He appeared in just one game and did not score.

The second-year player out of Delta State made the team as a training-camp invitee and the Magic were intrigued with developing him.

Smith said he wouldn't be surprised another team picks up Richardson if it needs a scorer.

"Jeremy can score; he can flat-out score," Smith said.

Will Dwight fly?

If C Dwight Howard is waffling about defending his all-star slam-dunk title, it's news to his agent, Aaron Goodwin.

"He's going to be in it," Goodwin said. "He's got a few things he can bring out [new dunks]. There's what we're calling 'The Orlando Two-Step.' "

Sounds as if Howard is trying to build some suspense by being noncommittal.

The dunk competition is part of NBA All-Star Weekend Feb. 13-15 in Phoenix.

It's doubtful the Howard camp would pass up a prime marketing opportunity for Howard to own the stage again. Howard flew out of Orlando on Sunday morning on a private plane to shoot a commercial for McDonald's, meeting the team in L.A.

Still the baby

Howard turned 23 on Monday and said he received a plaque from his mother that had an inspirational message on it.

He also was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" on a bus ride by rookie Courtney Lee and PF Marcin Gortat in Los Angeles.

Howard said it's surprising to him that he's still the youngest player on the team in this, his fifth NBA season. Lee turned 23 on Oct. 3.

"I've been the youngest guy on about every team I've played on. Maybe next year I won't be the kid," he said.

Howard said he's happy but "not satisfied" with his progress from No. 1 overall pick to all-star starter.

"Michael Jordan told me that I should make the all-star team in the second year and I did that," Howard said. "I'm still trying to get better all the time."