LAKERS UPDATE: LAKERS EYE MAGIC BIG MAN.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer EL SEGUNDO El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and - The Lakers' search for frontcourt help has taken them to a familiar source: the roster of the Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). History Early years The Orlando Magic officially entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. . Four years after plucking away Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). , the Lakers have set their sights on Orlando free agent John Amaechi John Ekwugha Amaechi (pronounced [ɑˈmeɪʧi]) (born November 26, 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. . The 6-10, 270-pound Amaechi could fill two glaring Laker needs - a backup center for O'Neal and a starter at power forward. Amaechi, 29, averaged 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 80 games at center last season, his first with Orlando. Amaechi met with Laker officials over the weekend but is said to be leaning toward returning to the Magic. Agent Bill Sweek said 17 teams have expressed interest. ``At the moment, it's between the Lakers and Orlando,'' Amaechi told the Orlando Sentinel The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently in its 131st year of publication. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. . The Lakers, who are over the salary cap, can only offer the midlevel mid·lev·el n. The middle stage or level, as in a series, course of action, or career. salary exception - a starting salary of $2.25 million, or up to a six-year deal worth $17.7 million. The Magic is under the cap and can offer Amaechi much more. Orlando also is eager to retain him after losing its bid to land San Antonio's Tim Duncan. Amaechi plans to meet with Magic officials later this week before making a decision. The Chicago Bulls, who have plenty of cap room, also could offer Amaechi a more lucrative deal. The Lakers also are expected to announce soon that they will exercise their option to bring back 36-year-old guard Ron Harper. |
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