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Now that they have landed All-Star Vince Carter and all but said goodbye to Hedo Turkoglu, the Orlando Magic will try to rebuild their supporting cast by targeting a pair of vastly different free-agent frontcourt players.

After losing to the Lakers and their big front line in the NBA Finals, the Magic are expected to make offers next week in free agency to both veteran Rasheed Wallace of Detroit and young Brandon Bass of Dallas, according to two NBA sources.

Wallace, 34, is expected to be pursued by both the Magic and the Boston Celtics, who are competing with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Wallace has played 14 seasons in the NBA, earning a reputation as an often enigmatic, but unselfish player with championship experience.

Wallace still could remain in Detroit, but he has expressed a desire to finish his career with a legitimate contender in the East. He would help either Boston or Orlando counter Cleveland's addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

Bass, 24, came into the league with New Orleans as a second-round draft pick. Although still unheralded as a backup last season to Dirk Nowitzki, he is considered a good rebounder who would provide Dwight Howard with more help around the basket.

In getting Carter on Thursday from New Jersey, the Magic traded center/forward Tony Battie, along with guards Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee. They also are expecting to lose center/forward Marcin Gortat to free agency, necessitating several roster moves this summer.

I don't know about this one.

Hedo's probably not coming back so if you get Sheed and start him at the 4 you have a lineup up Nelson-Carter-Lewis-Wallace-Howard.

Will that get it done?


[Edited by - K22 on 2009-06-27 10:07 PM]

Hell yeah.....that's a real NBA Finals line-up....that team beats anybody.

That team is practically unstoppable. Incredible 3 point shooters at 1-4 + multiple deadly screen and roll combinations with Howard + Wallace/Carter + Nelson. Bail out options with Howard in the post or Carter on the wing/in a 1-4 set. Top of the line shotblocking + post defense at 4-5, great perimeter defense in Pietrus.

They need 2-3 players to fill out the roster, but to me they're heavy favorites to win next year, injury aside.

Shaq, of course, will be a further liability for Cleveland in guarding the pick and roll.

I don't think you can discount how good Ryan Anderson is either or how he fits into their system. I am surprised Anderson was included in the trade to get Lee. He is a very good player and has some similarities to Gallo but had more success his rookie year. If Bosh improves his post up game Anderson will be a huge. He fits with their system of having a small and power forward that can drain the three.