Den54
Punk Exterminator
This from a guy called OMAGFAN1 from another board.
Wow, what a day/night! Here's a little info for you guys.
The Magic did have Fran Vazquez high on their list. Before the Utah trade, Utah was projected to take him. If they didn't take him, Toronto apparently wanted him. New York was interested in him, too. However, the thought was Channing Frye was above all of them (and he was on the Magic list too). It was believed whoever took Frye, the next team available would take Vazquez (either Toronto or New York). The Magic were surprised when he was on the board. They took what they felt was best player available, as they said they would. The Magic have seen him play 8 times, the last time being in April. Fran didn't work out for any team, but did hold a 2 day individual workout in New York over the weekend. Look for a press conference tomorrow at 4pm to introduce the draft picks. His English isn't great right now, but if you know anything about Euro players, they pick up languages VERY quickly, so this won't be an issue. Same thing happened last year with Varajao.
The Magic's #38 pick Travis Diener is credited with really helping develop Dwayne Wade's game. He's a true pass first PG who plays all out, all the time. He's not a Luke Ridnour, probably like a more athletic Dan Dickau. Magic had many calls to move this pick, but they wanted to keep this pick all along (unless they got an offer they couldn't refuse).
The Magic's #44 pick Martynas Andriuskevicius has been compared to Ilgauskas. Don't buy the hype. He's 19 and at least a couple years away from playing. If teams thought he was the next Ilgauskas he would have been a Top 10 pick. Seriously, he's almost 7'3" and you can't teach height. The issue here is a personnel one. He's staying in America regardless, because he doesn't want to go back. So, sending him overseas for 2 or 3 years to develop wasn't an option. Not sure what Cleveland plans to do with him, but he does have a buyout provision also, which wouldn't be bad if he could be kept overseas. Cleveland was one of the teams who wanted #38, but the Magic told them #44 may be available. Martynas' draft rights were traded to Cleveland for a 2006 2nd rounder. This pick will be the Milwaukee 2nd rounder sent to Cleveland in exchange for Jiri Welsch from earlier today.
The Phoenix #57 pick Marcin Gortat was drafted for the Magic in return for future considerations (most likely cash). Gortat will more than likely stay overseas for at least next year to further develop his game.
All 3 Magic picks will be playing in the summer league in Las Vegas in July (along with Jameer Nelson). Look for the Magic to invite to summer cam other players who weren't drafted tonight.
Next up.....free agency.
Should be an interesting summer! Stay tuned!
Wow, what a day/night! Here's a little info for you guys.
The Magic did have Fran Vazquez high on their list. Before the Utah trade, Utah was projected to take him. If they didn't take him, Toronto apparently wanted him. New York was interested in him, too. However, the thought was Channing Frye was above all of them (and he was on the Magic list too). It was believed whoever took Frye, the next team available would take Vazquez (either Toronto or New York). The Magic were surprised when he was on the board. They took what they felt was best player available, as they said they would. The Magic have seen him play 8 times, the last time being in April. Fran didn't work out for any team, but did hold a 2 day individual workout in New York over the weekend. Look for a press conference tomorrow at 4pm to introduce the draft picks. His English isn't great right now, but if you know anything about Euro players, they pick up languages VERY quickly, so this won't be an issue. Same thing happened last year with Varajao.
The Magic's #38 pick Travis Diener is credited with really helping develop Dwayne Wade's game. He's a true pass first PG who plays all out, all the time. He's not a Luke Ridnour, probably like a more athletic Dan Dickau. Magic had many calls to move this pick, but they wanted to keep this pick all along (unless they got an offer they couldn't refuse).
The Magic's #44 pick Martynas Andriuskevicius has been compared to Ilgauskas. Don't buy the hype. He's 19 and at least a couple years away from playing. If teams thought he was the next Ilgauskas he would have been a Top 10 pick. Seriously, he's almost 7'3" and you can't teach height. The issue here is a personnel one. He's staying in America regardless, because he doesn't want to go back. So, sending him overseas for 2 or 3 years to develop wasn't an option. Not sure what Cleveland plans to do with him, but he does have a buyout provision also, which wouldn't be bad if he could be kept overseas. Cleveland was one of the teams who wanted #38, but the Magic told them #44 may be available. Martynas' draft rights were traded to Cleveland for a 2006 2nd rounder. This pick will be the Milwaukee 2nd rounder sent to Cleveland in exchange for Jiri Welsch from earlier today.
The Phoenix #57 pick Marcin Gortat was drafted for the Magic in return for future considerations (most likely cash). Gortat will more than likely stay overseas for at least next year to further develop his game.
All 3 Magic picks will be playing in the summer league in Las Vegas in July (along with Jameer Nelson). Look for the Magic to invite to summer cam other players who weren't drafted tonight.
Next up.....free agency.
Should be an interesting summer! Stay tuned!
