The Orlando Magic were rumored to be in the mix for free agent Corey Maggette, but it appears they've gone in a different direction.
Mickael Pietrus
Pietrus
Florida Today reported on Tuesday that the Magic have reached a verbal agreement with free-agent swingman Mickael Pietrus, who played for the Golden State Warriors last season.
Orlando general manager Otis Smith told the newspaper that the five-year veteran will receive almost all of the Magic's midlevel exception, which starts at $5.2 million next season. The team is expected to sign Pietrus to a multiyear contract on Wednesday.
Besides passing on Maggette, the Magic appear to have closed the door on retaining guard Keyon Dooling, who has played with Orlando the past three seasons.
Smith said that Pietrus' ability to defend opponents' shooting guards sets him apart.
"In the Eastern Conference, you had better be able to defend that position," he said, according to the newspaper. "We think he can really help us do that. And he can shoot the 3."
Pietrus averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds last season. Those numbers were off his career highs of 11.1 and 4.5 in 2006-07.
