Magic reportedly lure Pietrus away from Warriors

[wayne1218]

ESPN.com news services


The Orlando Magic were rumored to be in the mix for free agent Corey Maggette, but it appears they've gone in a different direction.


Florida Today reported on Tuesday that the Magic have reached a verbal agreement with free-agent swingman Mickael Pietrus, who played for the Golden State Warriors last season.

Orlando general manager Otis Smith told the newspaper that the five-year veteran will receive almost all of the Magic's midlevel exception, which starts at $5.2 million next season. The team is expected to sign Pietrus to a multiyear contract on Wednesday.

Besides passing on Maggette, the Magic appear to have closed the door on retaining their own guard Keyon Dooling.

Smith said that Pietrus' ability to defend opponents' shooting guards sets him apart.

"In the Eastern Conference you had better be able to defend that position," he said, according to the newspaper. "We think he can really help us do that. And he can shoot the 3."

Pietrus averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds last season. Those numbers were off his career highs of 11.1 and 4.5 in 2006-07.

[wayne1218]

Alot of shit going down tonight in the NBA!

[reeserich]

They probably didn't have to do too much luring of Pietrus. He has his moments but Mullin gave up on him a couple of years ago.

[DDP713]

Alot of shit going down tonight in the NBA!

When does the signing period officially begin ? isnt thursday ?

I don't think the Warriors gave pietrus enough minutes in Golden State. He was a lottery pick but never really given a role...anyway I think this is another GREAT fit, Pietrus is really underrated and a nice signing by orlando. this move is just another piece to the puzzle after making a big splash by signing rashard lewis last year.

[reeserich]

You might be right. He's a talented guy and a freak athlete, which you would think fits right into how the Warriors run. But he still has no role and limited minutes? It makes me think there is something else wrong with the guy, like he's Frenchman or something.

When does the signing period officially begin ? isnt thursday ?

I don't think the Warriors gave pietrus enough minutes in Golden State. He was a lottery pick but never really given a role...anyway I think this is another GREAT fit, Pietrus is really underrated and a nice signing by orlando. this move is just another piece to the puzzle after making a big splash by signing rashard lewis last year.

[BigWeiner]

He's half retarded, I'm glad we let him ago. Wait till you guys on the east coast see him play, he's in a world of his own. Sometimes some cool highlights, but usually a bunch of fired up knuckleball threes. I call him Petey in reference to the retard in American Pie. Maggette is a hundred times better, now if we can only get a big guy

[ELJUGO]

Major head case...The guy is so conscious of the cameras its ridiculous. He doesn't have an ounce of "clutch" is his system and is very inconsistent. I've been ready to see him go.