Orlando's price range is limited in pursuit of free-agent guards ORLANDO - Quiet throughout the first three weeks of the NBA's free-agent courting period because of roster and financial restrictions, the Orlando Magic appear poised now to spring into action. Intent on upgrading their depth at point guard, the Magic could be on the verge of extending a contract offer to either Memphis' Earl Watson, Miami's Keyon Dooling or Chicago's Chris Duhon. Orlando is in no hurry to make a splash in free agency, assistant general manager Otis Smith said Thursday, but the team would like "to have something concrete in the next two to three days." Such a signing would allow the Magic to move Steve Francis exclusively to shooting guard and signal that the team does not believe Jameer Nelson is ready to start at point guard. Nelson recently lobbied publicly for the starting nod before the Magic competed in summer-league action at Las Vegas. Smith also said he has no plans to release or trade disgruntled shooting guard Doug Christie. A new provision in the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement will allow teams to waive one player without that salary counting against the luxury tax. Christie would receive $8.2 million, but releasing him would save the Magic that much in taxation. Acquired last January from Sacramento, Christie never seemed happy in Orlando. He was taken out of the lineup and ultimately left the team to have season-ending ankle surgery. Christie's representatives have informed the Magic that he would prefer to be traded back to the West Coast. Smith, who said one of his focuses has been to make the Magic a better defensive team, stressed he has no plans for moving Christie. "Doug's name has come up (in regard to the new labor agreement's amnesty clause) because everybody seems to think that he doesn't fit here," Smith said from Atlanta, where he was attending Dwight Howard's youth camp. "We have to get better on the defensive end, and Doug can really help us there. I really think he's going to like playing for (new Magic coach) Brian (Hill)." Because the Magic are over the salary cap, they have only the mid-level exception to offer free agents. That knocked Orlando out of the running for the summer's top free agents such as Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Larry Hughes, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Bobby Simmons. Other top stars, such as Joe Johnson, Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler and Samuel Dalembert, are restricted free agents and out of the Magic's range. Teams originally were to start inking free-agent contracts today, but the signing moratorium was pushed back indefinitely because the league hasn't finalized its bargaining agreement. The moratorium is expected to end next week but could slide to as late as Aug. 1. A similar scenario played out five years ago when the Magic were at the forefront of the NBA's free-agent chase. The Magic had to put off signing Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady for two days as final details of the previous CBA was hammered out. With roughly $5 million to spend for next season, the Magic can give it to one player or break it up among several. The latter option is unlikely because the Magic have 13 players with guaranteed contracts for next season. Last summer, Orlando was able to snag restricted free agent Hedo Turkoglu from San Antonio by offering him their entire mid-level exception. They might have to do the same if they are to snatch Duhon away from Chicago. Duhon started 73 games last season -- many ahead of Ben Gordon, the league's Sixth Man of the Year -- while averaging 5.9 points and 4.9 assists. The Magic strongly considered selecting Duhon with the first pick of the second round in the 2004 NBA Draft. Duhon's agent, Bill Duffy, thinks the point guard could be a perfect fit in Orlando. "They saw what he was able to do in Chicago for Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, and they know he can do the same thing for Steve Francis in Orlando," Duffy said. "He can take the ball out of Francis' hands and let him be more of a scorer." If the Magic sign Duhon to an offer sheet, the Bulls would have seven days to match the deal. Smith said with restricted free agents "you really have to get creative," such as front-loading the contract or including perks such as signing bonuses or incentive clauses. "Everybody thinks Chicago is going to automatically match, but they have some major issues with Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler," said Duffy, who negotiated with Orlando's Smith on two occasions Thursday. "I really think we can sneak one by them if Orlando works with us. If Orlando steps up, I want to do everything in my power to reward them for that." Watson also is a favorite of the Magic because he's a gritty on-ball defender. He started just 14 games for the Grizzlies but played most of the key minutes down the stretch, ahead of starter Jason Williams, because of his dependability and defense. Watson, an unrestricted free agent, isn't likely to command the full mid-level exception. Smith denied an Internet rumor that the Magic have offered Dooling a three-year, $9 million contract. Dooling, a key reserve for the Heat last season, was reportedly visiting the New Jersey Nets on Thursday. Smith said the trap is to overpay free agents, something he doesn't feel pressure to do. "We had 11 new guys last year and I still want to take what we have and give them time to gel," Smith said. "Our new coaching staff is convinced that we don't have to make a lot of changes because the parts are here. "I'm not going to make changes just for the sake of change. I know people are expecting us to do that because we were 36-46, but I don't believe in doing that. I like our team." --

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