3 Point Blogs - 3PointScore.com

The Suspense is so thick you can cut it with a knife! What will the Magic Do? So many questions and it seems like they are in no hurry to give us answers.

Will Brian Hill Return as Head Coach? At this point the question should be how can he return? It’s clear that if the Magic do decide to keep him he will lose all respect from the players. If J.J. doesn’t get enough minutes he knows to go to GM Otis Smith. If Nelson is not happy with the style of play he knows he can go to Smith as well, if Darko returns and is not playing a more versatile and key role he too can simply go over the head of Hill. How can anyone coach under such circumstances?

In order for a coach to be effective one of the main things he must have is the full respect of his team, something the Magic organization has already taken away from Brian Hill. Don’t be surprised to hear that the Magic gets a new head coach this summer.

Will Hedo be traded and if not, who will? Currently in the Magic Camp from what reports are saying the only people completely safe for a 2007-2008 season return is Trevor Ariza, Nelson, Howard, J.J. Redick, Tony Battie and James Augustine. Everyone else is tradable or their contract expires. Can the Magic shake n’ bake for better players or will we see the same old Magic errors?

Will Darko get signed? As a restricted free agent, resigning Darko mighty not be as easy as some may think. Darko has a lot to offer as a 7’ center that can play like a PG... At least that’s what we’ve heard and only seen glimpse of. Under the reign of coach Brian Hill, Darko was restricted to simply being a post up type player, something he was not happy with and neither was the higher ups. During the season he was not very consistant, but one can protest saying it's because Hill didn't let him play his game but during the Playoffs he was given some air to breath and he took full advantage being the only Magic player to score in double digits in all the games. Brian Hill may not have appreciated his point guard like skills but other teams find it every attractive and might be willing to pay highly for him.

Even though the Magic have some spending muscles this off season, they can’t spend too much on Darko. They still are in major need of a point guard and/or a scorer. If another team offers too high a price for Darko, the Magic might have to do a sign and trade.

Who will they go after in the summer time? If the New Jersey Nets make it at least to the semi finals of the play offs, chances are they will resign Vince Carter who is scheduled to be a free agent this off season. Chauncey Billups is another free agent that the Magic might be able to steal but if the Pistons get to the finals (which everyone expects them to do) they will do all they can to keep him.

What will Grant Hill’s decision be? Will he retire, resign with the Magic, or go elsewhere? Detroit is in need of a backup for Prince, and the Suns have shown interest as well, both teams are championship caliber teams. With so many options his way only Hill has control of his future right now. Personally I think he should resign with the Magic at the senior minimum contract to make up for the wasted 6 seasons.

This season the Magic only have 3 second round picks giving thier first round pick to the Pistons, per last years trade deal. With this draft boosting to be so deep, it’s possible that they can find a diamond in the rough, but they obviously can’t depend on the draft to help them much this season. Between now and camp Otis Smith can’t afford to sleep. Careful planning and sharp deals need to be made in order for the Magic to step us for next season. Until that new area begins to get built, the Magic must at least make it to the playoffs to keep public interest.

This offseason the Pacers are rebuilding, with the Rockets not making it past the first round and their coach retiring, they might restructure and with the Mevericks dissapointing first round exit, don't be suprised to see some changes in that camp as well. The seventy sixers are rebuilding, along with the Sonics, and other teams. Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, and players like KG are on the trade block so the Magic will have plenty of options to properly upgrade to championship caliber status.

Otis Smith has a lot to live up to this off season especially after making GM of the year type moves last season which so far appears the be the best moves that the Magic has ever made. They traded Steve-o for Trevor and Penny’s expiring contract, and then got both Darko and Arroyo, for that guy whose name slips my mind at this time... Oh yes it was Kelvin Cato (Is he still playing in the NBA?). A lot is riding on this off season and if the right decisions are not made, then next season it will be www.fireotissmith.com site and he might find himself in the same boat that Brian Hill is in now.

Can the Magic improve this off season to a champion contender? I believe in Magic so I believe they can, but only time will tell. Until next time, see ya!