Empty the Bench

Magic GM Otis Smith deserves at least a little criticism for failing to swing a trade-deadline deal to land a perimeter scoring threat like the Nets’ Vince Carter that could have cemented a playoff spot for his squad. VC was widely thought to be available, but who knows for sure what price tag Rod Thorn had slapped on him (any deal likely would have had to include Darko).

There’s indeed a good chance that Thorn was asking for too much and that Smith decided that, in the end, he’d wait until this summer to make a run at Carter if/after he opts out. Instead, Smith might be concentrating his immediate attention on setting his frontcourt table for at least the next three years. Brian Schmitz at the Orlando Sentinel speculated today that both Milicic and manchild Dwight Howard will likely be living near Disney World for the foreseeable future:

Look for the Magic to extend center Dwight Howard this summer for five years. The contract, beginning in 2008, likely will total about $87.5 million. It could start around $14.5 million and finish at $20.5 million. Also, don’t be surprised if the Magic and Milicic end up signing a, say, $21 million over three years.

Resigning Howard is a no-brainer. The 21-year-old kid is already one of the top five centers in the NBA and will be an All Star for many years to come. Darko, well… who knows. He still has some major consistency, effort, and decision-making issues to address, but he too is still just 21 years old and could still put his game together. If he does, the number Schmitz throws out there would be a bargain, and Orlando would be ensured of running with one of the most imposing big-men tandems in the East, not to mention the NBA.

Watch Dwight kiss the rim during practice for the slam-dunk competition:

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