Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: In a perfect draft, the Orlando Magic could leapfrog high enough to take one of the top frontcourt players available -- without giving up a key piece of their team.
But this draft -- and their current pick at 18 -- is anything but perfect.
"Can we address some of our needs with [pick No.] 18? Yes, but to what level? I don't think anything extensive," said Magic General Manager John Gabriel. "At that spot, for a team that expects to reach the next round [of the playoffs], it's tough to think a rookie there is really going to help you."
While the best big men are out of reach, it's likely that one of the next tier of power players will be available. Someone such as Melvin Ely (Fresno State), Marcus Haislip (Tennessee), Amare Stoudemire (Cypress Creek High School) or Carlos Boozer (Duke) could be there when the Magic pick.
That's not exactly what they wanted, but it's beginning to look like reality as the chance of moving higher in the draft diminishes. Although the Los Angeles Clippers (with Nos. 8 and 12) likely will trade a pick, it is not expected to be to the Magic.
"It's unlikely now that we'll move up," Gabriel said. "There's a lot of talk this year -- maybe even more than usual -- but that's all it is. We just don't have anything imminent or hot on the screen right now."
The Magic are trying to use their stockpile of future draft picks -- seven first rounders in the next four years -- to move higher. But they have been a little reluctant to trade Miller, who will be going into his third NBA season. He originally was the No. 5 overall pick in 2000.
No one else on the Magic's roster (except for Tracy McGrady, who is untouchable) has much trade value.
Miller has been part of several recent discussions -- one with Cleveland involving point guard Andre Miller and one with Memphis involving power forward Stromile Swift -- but Gabriel dismissed the possibility of anything happening in either case. According to one report from Memphis, the Grizzlies were not interested in trading their No. 4 pick for Miller.
RealGM Note: Every year at this Gabe dismisses trade rumors but he has made at least one trade in each of the past three drafts.
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I'll comment on Gabe later and make a longer post, I am too mad at him right now because that pick 4/Stro Swift deal might not happen.
Article - Magic not likely to make a move, Gabe dismisses trade rumors
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