NBA Free Agency: Jason Richardson the Lone Notable Orlando Magic Player in 2011 Class

I’ll be crest fallen if we sign J Rich to far more than he is worth. Now is not the time to be worried about someone else dishing out a better offer. It’s those “better offers” that end up becoming bad contracts, when said players efficiency severely drops. If he can’t get Richardson at a reasonable price then we’re better off picking up someone else on the market.

A single year MLE is all I’d offer. If he wants to stay with Orlando, he’ll sign. If not, let him walk. It’s clear from his Twitter posts during the lockout that he believes the players are far more valuable than they really are. It leads me to believe he overvalues his personal contributions and will take offense at any offer other than a multi-year in the $10M range. HIs signing will be an ego thing with him – let some other team pay the price.

We’re not winning it this year folks. Just not happening with or without Richardson. We’re in a rebuild phase and we need to build for the future. A long term contract for an aging wing isn’t the ticket. I’d be happy to see JJ and Q with the rooks behind them for this year.

I’d love to see Clark back.

The way forward, however, in picking options depends on the larger plans for the franchise. In simple – short – terms, if Dwight is going to leave, what is the value of this season for us to burden ourselves with further long-term contracts? In that sense, I dare to say that shedding salaries has to start right away, if we fail to convince Dwight to commit to stay based on the short and long term plans presented to him and his agent.

1 – Jason Richardson. Magic is best served to offer him a one-year deal even if it is a bit larger than he may earn in a free market on a multiyear deal per year. That is, if Dwight’s situation is still in limbo, otherwise all bids are off.
2 – Earl Clark. In a team low on young talents, a first round pick with potentials who is not going to break the bank, should not be laid to waste. The operative word, however, is “not breaking the bank” which has to be quantified.
3 – Malik Allen. Our front-line is so weak within which Allen seems like a critical piece, thanks to foolish trade of Gortat. Do we have a choice here? Yes, if we are willing to sign off on the season, we can have Bass to rotate between C and PF now that we have Harper in place.

He was the only thing I liked about that trade last year. But he didn’t perform nearly to the level I had hoped he would. Now I wouldn’t mind seeing him stay but it can’t be for big money. The Magic have to play moneyball in this situation and J-Rich doesn’t provide a lot of value for the money. Hopefully Otis isn’t completely stupid and realizes that.

Also Evan, I have to give you crazy props on this article. This is some of my favorite writing of yours. Example: “all the elegance and pleasantness of a fully-blown balloon’s erratic, flatulent flight when one suddenly lets the air out of its neck.” Priceless…and sadly true.

Still represents the best 2 guard option Orlando has. Definitely needs to be more vocal and assertive on the offensive end and please play defense 50% of the time, I have seen you play good d J Rich so do it. Keep Earl Clark. Only option Orlando has to defend the likes of Durant, Dirk and such. Nothing over 2 mill a year. Sign the rookies. Trade bass for a new back up pg. Amnesty gil.

I believe the Magic need to be in rebuild mode whether Howard stays or goes… just to varrying degrees. We just need to ‘re-tool’ the lineup to get under the cap to add a legit free agent if he is staying. And if he’s leaving we are in full out rebuilding mode. So either way we need to cut salary.

1. You have to amnesty Arenas. There’s just no way around it.
2. Try to get a draft pick and an expiring contract through a sign-and-trade of Jason Richardson. Boston (Jermaine O’Neal) and San Antonio (Antonio McDyess) have players on expiring deals and might make this trade for a scorer, to make one last push at a title before their respective windows close and they have to rebuild. Otherwise let Richardson walk and save the money.
3. Make a trade that will show Howard we are moving in the right direction and keep him smiling at the same time. Bring in his longtime, childhood friend Josh Smith. Nelson and Bass (and maybe a 2nd round pick if its needed) for Smith works financially and makes the Hawks better by giving them two starters to go along with Joe Johnson and Al Horford.
4. Make any other smaller moves necessary to help get under the cap for the summer of 2012 free agency. I like Redick, but if he’s the means to the end, then so be it. Trade anyone you have to but Dwight
5. Bring back Earl Clark on an apropriate deal.

My point is to say that no matter what we need to be cutting back salary. Either to land a big time free agent for Dwight, or if he leaves, to jump start the rebuilding process by not having bad contracts. I understand if all that happened we wouldn’t be very good next year, but its all about 2012 free agency.

Do we have Bird Rights on Earl Clark or not?

imo, the plan should be either:
(1) if Dwight is staying, clear cap space to sign premier PG.
(2) if Dwight is leaving, begin full rebuild.

Signing JRich works against both.

I’m hoping the market prices Orlando out of the equation. Sending JRich away via a S&T for an expiring contract or a TPE and a pick, well that’d be fine.

I understand the need to sign a player at SG because Redick and Q are not good enough players to hold down the position by themselves on a high performing team.

However, my assertion that it is not in the Magic’s best interest to re-sign Richardson is not predicated on the idea that Richardson is not good enough offensively to be worth re-signing. Rather I believe that it is his defensive shortcoming that make signing him folly.

If you go by the assumption that what the Magic need is a wing player that can create his own shot and then you look at the free agent pool. It quickly becomes apparent that such a player is not available. And then it can be reasoned that re-signing Richardson is better than not re-signing him as any other player the Magic sign will be equally ineffective at creating his own shot.

If that is the only attribute by which we are measuring players. Sure.

The thing is that I believe the Magic are better served by upgrading their perimeter defense on the wing. And if you view the free agent pool through that lens then there are many many options available. (Battier, Stevenson, Hill, the list honestly goes on and on)

Basically I contend that all available wings being equally inferior at creating and the only offensive characteristic of Richardson’s that needs to be replaced is his outside shooting. Then a better defender with comparable spot up shooting skills is an upgrade over Richardson even if that player lacks the pedigree of having averaged 20+ ppg as often or as recently as Richardson.

I know Turk is slow, but can he play the Point? His length should be able to bother players, and if they get past him uh they do run into Dwight Howard. I ask this because, to me Orlando should make a play for Josh Smith. Plug him right at the 3. With that I think you resign Jason Richardson and Orlando would still be under the luxury tax line as long as it is not ridiculous(3 or 4 year at $24 million). Sign the rookies.

Back to Turk at the Point, that is basically what he is and it would definitely add height and length to the team at all spots. Also, when he feels like it Turk can play some excellent defense. So it sounds radical, but again options are limited.