| 15 July 2010
Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday night the Magic will match the Bulls' offer sheet to JJ Redick. The deal is reportedly a three-year, $19 million contract and is reportedly front loaded.
That did not scare Orlando away as the team opted to take the $7 million salary (and its additional $7 million luxury tax hit) that Redick is expected to make the first year of the three-year deal.
Redick had a breakout season last year, averaging a career high 9.6 points per game last year, finally finding a consistent role as the team's backup shooting guard behind Vince Carter. Redick worked his way into one of the most respected players on the roster, even winning the team's annual iron man contest in training camp last year.
He has come a long long way from the rookie shooting guard who could not get off the bench in Brian Hill's season and asked for a trade when he was not getting playing time three years into his career. He worked his way into the rotation under Stan Van Gundy and made the most of his opportunity. In other words, he earned his pay raise.
Orlando certainly had plenty to think about before securing Redick's return. Otis Smith wanted to retain Redick but knew the luxury tax hit might be a little too much. Rich DeVos has been hesitant to enter the luxury tax until the chance to win a title enticed him last year. Among the considerations that were rumored to be in play was whether the team believed Redick could ultimately replace Vince Carter as the team's starter after Carter's contract expires following the upcoming season. The general feeling -- even from management -- is that is not likely.
The other thinking that appears to be in play is the possibility Orlando trades Mickael Pietrus to shed salary and gets a reserve small forward in the deal. It is a rumor that is out there in the wake of the Magic matching this offer.
Redick is a good player and one that fits Orlando's roster and system very well. He gave the team some fantastic minutes throughout the season and into the postseason last year. Seeing all the failures in Orlando draft history, it would have been disappointing to see a guy the franchise brought along walk away and possibly star for another contender.
No matter how you feel about Redick -- there is some hate for him -- he is a great option off the bench and should continue to play well. From a roster perspective, it means the roster is virtually complete. Orlando has filled the backup point guard role it needed and the starting small forward/backup shooting guard to solve the Matt Barnes/JJ Redick (former) quagmire.
Who knows what Otis Smith's next move will be. The big moves of the summer have been completed. He will keep an ear to the ground and see what else he can do to improve his team. Rest assured though, the Redick signing makes Smith -- and very many of the ladies in Orlando despite Redick's recent marriage -- very happy.
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