Foyle To Orlando

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Source: Orlando Magic, Adonal Foyle agree to terms
Tim Povtak
Sentinel Staff Writer
2:34 PM EDT, August 22, 2007

Veteran center Adonal Foyle has agreed to terms with the Orlando Magic, according to a league source, waiting only for his agent/attorney to return to the country to announce the deal. It could come by Friday.

Foyle accepted a contractual buyout earlier this summer from the Golden State Warriors.

Foyle, 32, has played his entire 10-year NBA career with the Warriors, who made him the former Colgate University standout the No. 8 pick of the 1997 NBA Draft.

He is primarily a defensive specialist, who is a better-than-average shot blocker with a limited offensive game.

The Magic expect to use him at both center and power forward, playing behind Dwight Howard and Tony Battie. He will partially fill the void left by the departure of Darko Milicic, who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Magic General Manager Otis Smith would not confirm the agreement with Foyle, saying only: "We are moving in that direction." Foyle's agent, Lon Babby, has been out of the country but is scheduled to return today.

Although several teams were courting Foyle -- including Charlotte and Boston -- coming to Orlando was attractive to Foyle because of the proximity to family still living in the Caribbean, a league source said.

Foyle was born and was raised on the island of Canouan, which is part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He also has remained friends with Smith, who formerly worked with the Warriors.

The Magic also will announce the signing of former second-round draft pick Marcin Gortat, who played the past two seasons in Europe. The Magic will sign Foyle to the NBA veteran's minimum of $1.3 million (based on his 10 years of experience). Foyle has been among the NBA's top shot blockers throughout his career.

He was scheduled to make $8.9 million this season and $9.7 million next season with the Warriors. He accepted slightly less from Golden State to become a free agent.

Although still an effective defensive center, he didn't fit into the uptempo, helter-skelter style that was so effective for the Warriors during the playoffs under Coach Don Nelson.

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