Do it for Dwight! An Orlando Magic Franchise.

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Free Agency 2011/12.

With roughly one week to sign free agents before training camp, the NBA free agents have been furiously negotiating with various teams. With all the amnestied players, it topped up the FA pool. All of the amnestied players have been signed by new teams. Wilson Chandler has been waived by his Chinese team, and is expected to sign with the Nuggets on a long term deal. JR Smith has chosen to wait it out until next year like Kenyon Martin and a few others.

Retirements.

Jason Williams
Shaquille O' Neal
Jarron Collins
Trajan Langdon
Yao Ming
Radoslav Nesterović
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas
Brandon Roy
Sean Marks

Coaching Changes.

LA Lakers hire Mike Brown to replace a retiring Phil Jackson
Houston Rockets hire Kevin McHale
Golden State Warriors fire Keith Smart and Hire Mark Jackson
Toronto Raptors hire Dwayne Casey
Detroit Pistons fire John Kuester and hire Lawrence Frank
Minnesota Timberwolves fire Kurt Rambis and hire Rick Adelman

Amnestied Players
Baron Davis
Chauncey Billups
Chris Andersen
Travis Outlaw
Charlie Bell
James Posey
Brandon Roy

Signed overseas

J.R Smith
Kenyon Martin
Sonny Weems
Brian Scalabrine
Sean Marks
Darius Songaila
Chris Quinn
Acie Law
Nenad Kristic
Chris Douglas Roberts

Free Agent Highlights.


Jerry Stackhouse - Atlanta Hawks
Chris Wilcox - Boston Celtics
Richard Hamilton - Chicago Bulls
Vince Carter - Dallas Mavericks
Jeremy Lin - Houston Rockets
David West - Indiana Pacers
Chauncey Billups - LA Clippers
Caron Butler - LA Clippers
Jason Kapono - LA Lakers
Shane Battier - Miami Heat
Mike Bibby - New York Knicks
Grant Hill - Orlando Magic
Tracy McGrady - Orlando Magic
Chris Andersen - Orlando Magic
Shannon Brown - Phoenix Suns
Jamaal Magloire - Toronto Raptors
Roger Mason - Washington Wizards

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Arenas will not be amnestied by Orlando Magic.

After all the CBA negotiations, and the amnesty rule being implemented, one could be forgiven for nicknaming it the Arenas Amnesty Rule. But of course Otis Smith would surprise us all, by not using the clause on Arena's.

Arenas has slimmed down, and being working very hard on his game all summer and throughout the lockout. Speculation however is that Arenas will opt out after this season, and possibly resign for less money for salary cap purposes. And if he doesn't, they can amnesty him next year. It is surprising however that Hedo Turkoglu seems set to stay around too, as he also avoided the dreaded amnesty chop.

But Otis Smith must have something up his sleeve, or at least the diehard Magic fans hope so. But the fact Arenas will get another "shot" with the Magic will be the make or break factor for the Magic season, and Howards future.

Arenas budding friendship with Howard over the summer was clear for all to see all over Orlando, with pictures of the two planking. Howard also criticized the lack of playing time Arenas had last year. Make Dwight happy is the motto this year, and anything he wants, he will probably get too.

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Magic make Mega Trade

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Magic send Orton and Liggins to D-League.

After the first week of training camp the Magic decided to send rookies DeAndre Liggins and also Daniel Orton to the Sioux Falls Skyforce for some playing time. The Magic are loaded at the wing this season. With Grant Hill returning, JJ Redick, Rookie Jimmy Butler will all compete for playing time.

Orton is in the last year of his rookie contract and will have to prove himself in the D-league. He missed all of last season with a knee injury. But if Orton can dip into some of his potential, he could certainly catch and pass Thabeet, who looks like a limited defensive prospect.

Some interesting things came out of the training camp this week. We seen many matchups, and different lineups throughout the week. There was a high level of competition, as many positions are up for grabs. The most interesting one was during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Arenas, Redick, Hill Bass and Howard took on Nelson, Butler, Turkoglu, Anderson and Thabeet.

Although largely outplayed the reserve team had two outstanding performances. Ryan Anderson shot extremely well perhaps even extending his 3 pt range, he also looks to have improved his defence too. The solid play and tenacity of rookie Jimmy Butler has been something to behold. He appear to be a more athletic Courtney Lee at the moment and is something the Magic certainly have never replaced after losing Lee in the Carter trade.
At the moment Chris Duhon is the backup to Gilbert Arenas, but Van Gundy has been less than pleased with his performaces this week.

Beasley and Lewis really stretch the floor, and Beasley’s ability to put the ball on the floor could give this Magic team an added dimension this year. Arenas looked trim and fit, but his knee seems to still be troubling him. He put up decent numbers in most scrimmages, but mostly from standstill jumpers. Very little in the way of attacking the basket.

Overall a good training camp though, Howard is still beasting, so we always have a chance. Penny Hardaway also made a few appearances this week and was seen talking to coaching staff and Dwight Howard. He played in Dwights charity game in UCF last month and seems to have developed a friendship with many Magic players, taking them aside and giving them some advice at various times.