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Bass brings energy to Magic's frontcourt
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AP/David J. Phillip
It's not a trade but the Orlando Magic have signed former Dallas Mavericks forward Brandon Bass to a four-year, $18 million deal to offset the expected departure of free agent center Marcin Gortat to the Mavericks. Bass is projected to become a starter for the first time in his career with the Magic at the power forward spot.
"Brandon is a physical, athletic frontline player," Orlando general manager Otis Smith said in a statement. "He will fit in well with our young core and we are excited to have him join the Magic family."
Bass was a valuable member of the Dallas bench over the last two years. He averaged 8.4 points per game with 4.5 rebounds per contest in his stint with the Mavericks.
The 2005 SEC Player of the Year jumped to the NBA after his sophomore season with the LSU Tigers. He formed a strong frontcourt duo in college with Glen "Big Baby" Davis.
Bass slipped into the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft as the 33rd overall selection by the nearby New Orleans Hornets. He was an afterthought in his two seasons with the Hornets. Bass appeared in a total of just 50 games in his tenure in New Orleans.
The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Bass and fellow newcomer Ryan Anderson will take some of the rebounding/defensive workload off of Dwight Howard in the paint. All three players are under the age of 25.
So, it will be a new look starting lineup for the Magic in 2009-10 with Bass and Vince Carter in the fold. Also, Jameer Nelson could be viewed as basically a new starter after missing half of the regular season in the 2008-09 campaign. The starting rotation is rounded out by Howard and Rashard Lewis.
Orlando will be looking for another big man to join Anderson off the bench. The combo of Michael Pietrus and J.J. Redick will be able to provide some offensive sparks in the backcourt in support of the starters.
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