06-25-2008, 11:52 AM
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 | NBA & Iowa Hawkeyes Moderator | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,167
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| Magic won't trade Redick
Redick '100%' certain he'll play for Orlando Magic next season -- OrlandoSentinel.com Quote:
The Magic said Monday they had no plans to make a draft-night move involving Redick or to deal him this summer, even though the popular but frustrated shooting guard wouldn't mind leaving Orlando in hopes of finding playing time.
Redick asked for a trade in January and reiterated that feeling in his exit interview with General Manager Otis Smith and Coach Stan Van Gundy after the season.
"We're not looking to move J.J. If it doesn't make sense, we're not going to move him just to move him," Smith said. "He wants to play, and rightfully so. He thinks he hasn't been given the opportunity.
"You can say, 'I want to go somewhere else to play.' It's easy to say that but harder to do it. We're not giving him away. You're pretty much here. We do value J.J. I think he can play in this league."
Obviously, two seasons of bench-warming haven't enhanced Redick's value around the NBA.
Interest from other clubs "has not presented itself," Smith said.
Redick did not return messages, but it sounds as though he has accepted his plight. Just as he has accepted the fact that the Magic might well draft a shooting guard Thursday at No. 22 or acquire a starter during free agency in July, relegating him again to fight for backup minutes.
Redick told the Orlando Sentinel after the season ended that while he hadn't backed off his trade request, he expected to be in Orlando when camp opened in October at RDV Sportsplex.
In his June 18 blog entry on his Web site, Redicklive.com, J.J. wrote, "The Magic have some decisions to make this offseason -- free agency, trades, and the draft. But I believe 100 percent I'll be back with the Magic.
"In fact, I don't even think it's an issue. I just need to get better and earn Stan's trust and get some minutes. We shall see."
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