Who’s Gone In Shooting-Guard Roulette Between Evans, Bogans, Redick?
Posted on Feb 22, 2008 11:19:38 AM
Barring a summer trade shocker, the Magic will have four of their five starters back next season: Center Dwight Howard, power forward Rashard Lewis, small forward Hedo Turkoglu and point guard Jameer Nelson.
(Hmmmm, would GM Otis Smith be in the market for a point guard even though he signed Nelson to a five-year deal before the season? Or do they offer their entire mid-level of $36 million to Toronto’s Jose Calderon? He’s a restricted free agent, almost impossible to pry loose. But the Raps also have T.J. Ford on the books for an expensive longterm deal.)
With those four Magic starters back, that leaves the question of what to do at shooting guard.
It doesn’t appear that even as a starter Maurice Evans is assured of returning. He’s a free agent. Keith Bogans, who lost the job to Evans just after Evans was acquired from the Lakers, has a player opt and isn’t likely to exercise it. He’d have to be traded if the team wanted to move him.
And then there’s J.J. Redick, the Duke all-American.
I call him the Duke all-American because that’s the only meaningful thing attached to him since he’s been on Orlando’s roster. We have no idea what kind of pro he can — or can’t — become.
I can’t imagine a frustrated Redick returning under the same conditions …..because the Magic likely will go shopping this summer for shooting guards, armed with their mid-level exception. That’s roughly a five-year deal at about $30 million to $36 million (they can also break it in half).
Redick was right when he told me he thinks the team probably will bring somebody else in — another guard.
I have to believe the guy is gone. If he can’t beat out Evans or Bogans — and those players aren’t guaranteed spots next season — how is Redcik miraculously going to jump to the role of starter or backup?
Unless he’s been that good in practice.
Evans and Bogans are backups on contenders. Each gives you something different — Evans the driving, finishing ability; Bogans is the better shooter from 3-point land.
Who’s out there this summer that’s really better?
Eduardo Najera? Matt Barnes? Carlos Delfino?
I like Najera. He’s a tough guy, but a backup also.
The Magic might have to re-sign Evans, who is making just $1.5 million this season. That shouldn’t be a problem.
J.J.’s future is an entirely different matter.