Orlando Sentinel wrote:J.J. Redick to Orlando Magic: Play me or trade me
What to do with the popular top pick is one of many decisions facing the Magic.
Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
May 15, 2008
Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick expects to return next season, but he didn't back off his request to be traded if he can't find playing time.
Redick, the club's 2006 first-round pick out of Duke who has played sparingly, requested in early January that the Magic deal him.
"I want to play. There were a lot of things that were said last summer and in the preseason, you know, and I thought I was going to play. It didn't happen," Redick said.
"I'm certainly not going to sit there and hear the same stuff and think I'm going to get the same results. I'm going to put some of this on myself to get better, but there's got to be an opportunity for me to get on the court."
Redick was playing behind starter Mo Evans and Keith Bogans. His chances to play could improve because Evans is among the club's seven potential free agents. Evans is an unrestricted free agent, and his backup, Keith Bogans, has an option but is expected to return.
Evans made $1.7 million last season, but will be looking for something closer to starter's money. His agent, Roger Montgomery, told the Sentinel that his client expects to shop around when the free-agency courting period begins July 1.
"I really enjoyed playing here," he said. "Honestly, I can't tell you [if he'll be back]. I would hope so, but if not, I'd understand."
The Magic have the mid-level exception, worth about $6 million in salary for a player -- or they can split it in half to sign two players.
Back-up point guards Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo are unrestricted free agents. Dooling, who made $3.5 million last season, has a better chance of returning than Arroyo, who hardly played in the postseason.
"Of course, I want to stay," Dooling said. "But it's also a business and you want to do right for you and your family. But the Magic have been good to me and, hopefully, it can continue."
Arroyo did not return a message left on his cell phone. He made $4 million last season, and if he does return, it likely will be at a reduced rate.
Forwards Pat Garrity and James Augustine are unrestricted free agents, and neither is likely to return.
Reserve center Adonal Foyle has an option and might consider leaving after losing his back-up job behind Dwight Howard in the postseason to rookie Marcin Gortat. Gortat, of Poland, has another year on his contract.
"I'll take a look to see if there is place for me," Foyle said.
As for Redick, he'll talk with Smith this week and the meeting might determine if he stays or not. "The thing I want to discuss is my future here and kind of what their plan is. As I said all along, I want to play here . . . but I want to play," Redick said. "I can't predict the future. I honestly think when training camp starts, I'll be here -- that's my gut feeling -- but I don't know."
Smith that Redick "could easily go from the third guy to the first guy because other guys opt out as free agents. I do think he's a pretty good guard. He's a backup 2 [shooting guard]."
Should we trade for the former Duke SG? He would come cheaply...
Edit: Edited only font size...
