Backup Center Solutions

With the loss of backup center Marcin Gortat the Orlando Magic are left with a void in the rotation. This is not a major problem since a backup center will usually only plays 10 minutes a game. The only time it would become an issue is when Dwight Howard gets himself into foul trouble. You would be relying on said player to play up to 20 minutes that game. There has been talk of playing Bass as the backup center with some sprinkling in of Malik Allen.

I just do not see that as a wise move considering Bass is listed at 6'6 and Malik is well... terrible. So I have compiled a short wish list of possible targets that can be had on the cheap. I'm not including players on contending teams since a smart GM would not deal with its main competition.

In no particular order

Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons

Season Stats: 3.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .96 bpg, at 24 mpg

Contract: 10/11 $2,000,000 11/12 $2,250,000

Analysis: Wallace cant do much anything on the offensive end but still has his uses. His shot blocking went with his athleticism but he still rebounds pretty well. In all honesty that is the only thing I want the backup center to do.The Magic will have enough trouble finding shots for these new Magic players even on the the second unit. His contract is basically nothing. The problem I see is in actually getting Detroit to deal him. He starts for them when healthy. At some point Detroit will need to forgo the rest of the season and go with their youth movement. My feeling he may become available right before the trade deadline.

Chris Wilcox, Detroit Pistons

Season Stats: N/A (He's only played in 8 games) Career Stats: 8.9 ppg, 5 rpg, .04 bpg, 20 mpg

Contract: 10/11 $3,000,000

Analysis: Wilcox has found himself out of the Detroit Pistons rotation this year which is why his season stats arent impressive. He has recently snuck his way back in as the backup center. The guy is a PF at heart and looks for his shot as such. This in  itself is undesirable for this team but he does have a nice FG% on his career. He is not a great rebounder by any means but he has the size and athleticism to defend the position.

David Anderson, New Orleans Hornets

Season Stats: 3.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, .18 bpg, 10 mpg

Contract: 10/11 $2,500,000 11/12 $2,270,000 Team Option

Analysis: David Anderson is the prototypical Euro-center. The Houston Rockets brought him over the pond last season when Yao Ming went down early in the year. He ends up on New Orleans where he's behind Emeka Okafor, David West and Jason Smith in the rotation. I would rather have Jason Smith than him since he is younger, taller and more physical but NO would be stupid to trade him. Anderson does have some nice qualities of his own however. teams have to respect his range and seems to be an ideal fit in a pick and roll scheme. Bass would more than likely have to defend the opposing teams center when David is on the court. Will he be  force in the middle? Probably not. Can he defend? Not that I've seen. Will he fit in our offense? Yes

Darius Songaila, Philadelphia 76'ers

Season Stats: N/A (see Wilcox) Career Stats: 7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 18 mpg

Contract: 10/11 $4,818,000

Most Magic fans will recognize this guy as the annoying white guy on the Washington Wizards. Songaila played for New Orleans last year and pretty much averaged his career numbers of 7 pts 3 rebounds in 18 mpg. So the fact that he is consistent is a positive. We know what we'd be getting. He is a little bulkier that his height and weight suggest which leads me to believe he can hold his own on the block. His contract is a little bit pricier than the other players listed so it may take 1 or 2 guys with a 2nd rd. pick to obtain his services. In any case he woud be a better option than Malik Allen at this point and he knows this division.