Orlando Magic News for May 20th: The Magic Want Keyon Dooling to Stay

Pat Williams, the Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic, talks to reporters five days before the 2004 NBA Draft Lottery.

File photo by Peter Cosgrove, the Associated Press

Brian Schmitz has these two quick updates on this, the day of the NBA's Draft Lottery (8 PM, ESPN):

• Looks like Keyon Dooling wants to remain a part of the Orlando Magic for the next three seasons:

  Unless the dollars don't make cents to the club, Keyon Dooling will return to the Magic to back up Jameer Nelson at point guard.

  The Magic told Dooling during his exit interview last week that they wanted to re-sign him, impressed with his play on the floor and his professionalism in the locker room.

  Dooling likely will sign another three-year contract.

  It's no secret that Keyon is one of my favorite Magic players, so I'm happy to know he wants to stay in Orlando. Magic fans should be, too. Keyon was inarguably the Magic's most reliable reserve last season. He's also their best perimeter defender. What he lacks in size -- he's 6'3" -- he makes up for with heart and tenacity.

• The rumors of Patrick Ewing possibly leaving to join Mike D'Antoni's coaching staff in New York have been greatly exaggerated. He's likely staying put:

  The New York Post's Marc Berman wrote Monday that Ewing now is not a serious candidate, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.

  Other than returning to where he starred as a player, heading to the Knicks looks like a step down for Ewing, a lateral move at best.

  We still have no indication that Ewing has actually helped speed up Dwight Howard's offensive development, but they've only worked together for one season.

I'll take this opportunity to mention the Orlando Sentinel recently started its own general NBA blog called Nothing But Net. Dee Gugel, who filled in admirably for Schmitz during his break last summer, does a fantastic job and lends credibility to the Sentinel's sports coverage, which has taken some criticism lately.