Magic begin offseason likely filled with change

While the futures of Smith, Van Gundy and Howard will certainly grab most of the immediate offseason attention, they aren't t the only pressing personnel issues for the franchise.

Reigning NBA Most Improved Player Ryan Anderson becomes a restricted free agent this summer and it's not a forgone conclusion that the fourth-year forward will be in a Magic uniform next year. The Magic have the option of matching any offer he receives from another team, but such a bid could be for more money than Orlando is willing to spend to retain him.

He said to say this season has been taxing for he and his teammates is an understatement.

"I don't think it's possible (to sum it up), you'd have to write a book," Anderson said. "We played probably not the best we could. But we fought the best we could ... at the same time, you wish it all would have never happened."

As to his future, he said he wants to remain in Orlando, but added that "it's gonna be a little while" before he makes a decision.

There are also questions about what point guard Jameer Nelson will do.

Nelson has a player option next season of around $8.5 million. He said he believes he has until July to inform officials of his intentions.

Nelson was drafted along with Howard and has played his entire NBA career in Orlando.

"I can't make my decision until some other decisions are made around here," Nelson said. "Like I said before, I want to be here in an Orlando Magic uniform and I love being in this city."

Easily Howard's best friend on the team, he said he has yet to address his future with anybody.

"It's a lot of variables that play a part for me. It's just not one thing," Nelson said. "I'm not sure what's going on. I don't know what's going on in Orlando. At this point I'm not quite sure nobody knows."

Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who was the Magic's lone offseason trade acquisition when he was dealt from Boston in December for Brandon Brandon Bass, still has three years remaining on the four-year, $26 million deal he signed.

With Howard out, Davis stepped up down the stretch, posting a career-best 19 points and nine rebounds per game in the postseason.

He acknowledged that the beginning of his first season in a new uniform "was kind of rocky for me" after coming in with the expectation of starting before being beat out by Anderson.

But Davis said that things were going on that he had no control over, referencing his suspension for a verbal altercation with Van Gundy, and his father and grandmother dying within three weeks of each other.

"When I finally got to settle down and do the things that I like to do, and that's play the game of basketball at a high level, I feel like I did a pretty good job on the floor," he said. "I just think there's more to come for me as a basketball player."

He said he plans to spend the entire summer in Orlando getting ready to contribute to whatever team comes back next season

"I don't have any control over management or what happens with Dwight's situation," Davis said. "I'm on this team and that's all I can control...That's my pledge, to not let players or anything affect what we're trying to do. And that's win a championship."

___

Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://twitter.com/khightower .