While their Southeast rivals, the Heat, prepare for Game 2 of the NBA Finals tonight, the Magic have a jam-packed offseason itinerary. The team still has to hire a GM, find a new coach, and decide on Dwight Howard's future, and another under-the-radar issue could arise tomorrow. Jameer Nelson has a June 15th deadline to decide whether to pick up his player option for next season, and if he turns it down, the Magic will have to determine if they want to try to re-sign him. Here's the latest out of Orlando….
- Nelson would "very much like to stay" in Orlando, but doesn't believe opting into his deal will guarantee that, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. The point guard is willing to give up a larger 2012/13 salary in favor of more long-term security, meaning there's a good chance he'll opt out.
- Nelson said as much to Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, reiterating that he loves the Magic organization, but asking, "Who doesn't want a long-term deal?"
- Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel predicts (via Twitter) that "if the right team winks" at Nelson, he'll opt out and leave Orlando. Schmitz also wonders (via Twitter) if Howard's list of preferred trade destinations will change this summer.
- The Magic are expected to hire a general manager in the coming days, but there's no clear frontrunner, says Kyler. The HoopsWorld scribe still believes Dennis Lindsey is the best bet, but ownership hasn't tipped its hand.
- Kyler adds that the hiring of a new coach may happen after the draft. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel wrote earlier this week that the Magic should have a coach in place by the start of July so that potential free agent targets know who would be coaching them.
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