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ORLANDO – Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Friday that the team is still in the market for a third point guard, but that no move is imminent at the time being.

The Magic have just two point guards on the roster with newly signed veteran Anthony Johnson backing up starter Jameer Nelson. The Magic traded top reserve Keyon Dooling to the New Jersey Nets when the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract value. Also, the Magic have shown no interest in bringing back reserve point guard Carlos Arroyo, a fan favorite because of his Puerto Rican heritage.

``We’d like to get one more point guard, but I wouldn’t say that it’s a pressing need right now,’’ Van Gundy said at Friday’s ceremonial groundbreaking for the new $480 million downtown arena. ``I guess we could use (Hedo Turkoglu) and Courtney (Lee) there some, but that wouldn’t be ideal. So we’d like to get one more.’’

The Magic have held preliminary trade talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about the availability to reserve point guard Javaris Crittenton. Memphis has four point guards on its roster and is looking to clear payroll.

Orlando, meanwhile, has a glut at shooting guard and could look to move either Keith Bogans, J.J. Redick or power forward Brian Cook to bolster its depth at point guard.

Magic standouts Rashard Lewis and Nelson said that while they were disappointed by the loss of Dooling, they are happy about the additions Orlando made in the offseason. The Magic signed defensive ace Mickael Pietrus to start at the shooting guard position and Johnson will be the backup point guard.

``Pietrus is a great defender and will help us out. Anthony is a point guard who has been around for a long time and is a guy who I can learn from,’’ Nelson said. ``We’re definitely a team on the rise and we’re not creeping up on anybody. We’re up and coming. We’re not the Orlando Magic of three or four years ago. We’re stronger and better, and we’re ready to come out next year and make it a great one.’’

Lewis, who faced Pietrus often in the Western Conference before signing with the Magic, said Orlando snagged one of the game’s top defenders in the 6-foot-6, long-armed Pietrus.

``He’s a great defender who is really athletic,’’ Lewis said. ``He can do a lot of the small things that we need. He aggravates you as a defender and he’s going to bring what we need. With Dwight inside and Pietrus on the wing, we think we’ll be better defensively. We expect a lot out of him.’’

BoricuaBoi wrote:don't know why Arroyo wouldnt be welcomed back as a 3rd stringer. I know a lot of you dont like him but common he can be a backup for any team in this league. If we cant get J.C. then it would be just stupid if they dont sign him to a one year contract.

BoricuaBoi wrote:I love DA but we cannot have two 30+year old point guards backing up Nelson. We need youth and size at that position. If anything DA would be a last resort. No matter what SVG says we need this Critt deal to go through. I personally Dont feel comfortable with just AJ backing up Nelson. There has to be a reason that he has been on like seven teams in about 11 seasons. Maybe hes not very consistant, well see.

magicfanatic23 wrote:Arroyo seems like a last resort option for the Magic right now.

dixava wrote:

magicfanatic23 wrote:Arroyo seems like a last resort option for the Magic right now.

I´m the only one that like Arroyo?
I was watching him last week in the FIBA competition and he was playing very well.
the only problem seems to be his defense...

craig01 wrote:I do know one thing, the Magic WILL have to acquire another PG.

Period.

There is no way this team can afford to begin the season with the current combination.

A sprained ankle, concussion, or whatever could be devastating.

christian72589 wrote:arroyo was just extremely inconsistent... a regular complaint of nelson. if you remember the chicago game on new years, arroyo was 100 % from the field on 7/7... which was amazing, and after that... bleh... in addition to that, in order to keep his stats in tact i think he passed up a couple wide open shots, not my favorite idea for our pg.

BoricuaBoi wrote:I love DA but we cannot have two 30+year old point guards backing up Nelson. We need youth and size at that position. If anything DA would be a last resort. No matter what SVG says we need this Critt deal to go through. I personally Dont feel comfortable with just AJ backing up Nelson. There has to be a reason that he has been on like seven teams in about 11 seasons. Maybe hes not very consistant, well see.