Ken Hornack of the Daytona Beach News-Journal writes that the Orlando Magic not only are expected to sign ex-Nugget Chris Whitney to a contract, they also expect to have him in uniform against the New York Knicks today.

The Magic had to wait until Whitney cleared waivers today before being able to contact him.  He will split time with Darnell Armstrong and Jacque Vaughn at point guard, giving the Magic more depth and another three point threat.

The AP reports on the Denver waiving Chris Whitney so he can go to Orlando.

Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News reports on the waiving of Chris Whitney and his chance in Orlando.

The Orlando Magic's hopes of getting a new arena took a huge turn tuesday night as former state senator Buddy Dyer was elected the new Mayor of the City of Orlando. He will take office Wednesday at noon.

Dyer defeated his opponent Pete Barr by getting 57.34 percent of the vote.

This is viewed as a victory for the Magic and their fans who hope to keep the Magic in Orlando because Dyer is viewed as being the canadiate who was the most pro-magic.

Dyer had mentioned sports several times as part of his downtown re-development plan.

It has been speculated that the Magic would leave town if the next mayor could not help secure them a new arena.

A new arena is expected to cost at least $250 million.

However, it is unclear how much money the city would want the Magic to contribute to the project.

Dyer will serve the remaining year of Mayor Glenda Hood's term, who is leaving office to become Florida's secretary of state, and is expected to run for a four-year term next year.

The Camera Staff reports on Chris Whitney and his situation.  Orlando, Indiana and LA (rumor is they aren't taking him) are the front runners if he's waived from Denver today or tomorrow.

If the Denver Nuggets waive guard Chris Whitney - as expected - this week expect the Orlando Magic to be one of the first to contact the 10 year veteran.  The Magic, however, would have strong competition in the form of the three time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, who also are looking towards Whitney for a little leadership.

"They're both playoff-contending teams and would be good situations," Whitney said. "Both situations are very appealing to me."

The Magic tried to trade for Whitney in the preseason, when he was with the Washington Wizards. Orlando offered forward/center Andrew DeClercq, but the trade fell through because the Wizards also wanted a first-round draft pick.

"He'd be a guy that we'd have interest in," General Manager John Gabriel said. "We like him. I have to leave it at that."

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Tracy McGrady has been bothered by tendinitis in his knees but has found a way to deal with the problem.

He has a condition called jumper's knee, which is essentially tendinitis caused by the rigors of running and jumping.

McGrady is experiencing the same knee problem that has bothered Kobe Bryant this season and eventually led to Vince Carter needing surgery last season.

McGrady said "my knees were on fire" Tuesday night against New Orleans. In that game, he limped throughout and looked less for his shot and more to set up his teammates.

However, he looked like his old, aggressive self on friday scoring 52 points against the Chicago Bulls while sitting out the fourth quarter.

"It comes and goes," McGrady said of the tendinitis.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports: Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Tyrone Hill wants out so he can sign with a playoff team.

Hill sounded dissapointed that a deal could not be made at Thursday's trading deadline.

"I'm not hurt, I haven't been hurt," Hill said. "This is a decision they made. I was prepared [to move on]. If they don't want me here, why am I here?"

Due to Cleveland's youth movement, Hill has not played in the Cavs' last seven games and has appeared for a total of 10 minutes since Jan. 10.

Hill hopes to get released by March 1st so that he can sign with a playoff team.

However, Hill, citing the business aspect of his profession, said he was not interested in giving back some of his remaining salary to facilitate his release.

Philadelphia is one of the teams likely to be courting him.

"I love Tyrone," Sixers coach Larry Brown said. But, "Why would they release him?"

The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers would be among the other teams interested in Hill's services if he is released.

As first reported by SI.com's Marty Burns, The Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies made the first big swap of the NBA's trading deadline last night.

Orlando sent their second-leading scorer Mike Miller and rookie forward Ryan Humphrey along with two draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Drew Gooden, swingman Gordan Giricek, and about $500,000 in cash.

In this deal, both teams got what they wanted.

For Grizzlies President Jerry West, it was the swingman that he had coveted since last year's draft.

"We are excited to get Mike Miller for our team," West said. "He was the Rookie of the Year just a couple of seasons ago and has the potential to be a terrific player for us."

As for the Magic, they got the bigman they had coveted but were hurt to have to give up Miller.

Magic coach Doc Rivers said McGrady was not happy that the club traded away his buddy. "I told Tracy what was going on," Rivers said. "He wasn't happy, friendship-wise, but basketball-wise, he was happy with it."

Rivers said he, too, was "torn" after having to part with Miller, a third-year pro from the University of Florida.

"I think it's a great trade for us," Rivers said. "We got a guard back who we hope can someday be like Mike. And we got a big [player], who's a rookie, but we think he can be a player. It's one of those deals where you had to do it."

"It was a tough decision. We obviously like Mike Miller," Magic General Manager John Gabriel said. "We think we got two players -- two young players -- who fill our needs. If we were going to part with him, we had to get bigger."

The Grizzlies had originally been offering Stromile Swift and Giricek but Gabriel held out for Gooden and last night, West finally gave in.

The two picks Memphis acquired were picks that Orlando had from other teams. Sacramento's 2003 first-round pick and Denver's 2004 second-round pick.

Orlando expects Giricek and Gooden to eventually move into the starting lineup.

Gabriel also mentioned that he might not be done dealing and could make another deal before the 3 p.m. deadline.

It has been speculated that forward Andrew Declercq might get dealt because of his expiring contract.

John Denton of the Florida Today reports: Orlando forward Grant Hill sees another surgery in his future.

Hill, said doctors believe they know why Hill's ankle has continued to bother him and another "minor" surgery would require him to rehabilitate the joint just three weeks.

"If surgery will be required it won't be the same procedure or the same length of time that there was before," Hill said before Orlando's game against New Orleans Tuesday. "It's more to just fix the structural issues than the fracture.

"This is a little simple procedure that may have been the cause to all of these problems. I use the analogy of a car being out of alignment and the tires keep wearing down and you keep changing them. Well, you've got to fix the alignment, not the tires over and over. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's the kind of what we're dealing with. That's a three-week (rehabilitation) procedure instead of a long-term thing."

Hill hopes to return for the playoffs, if the Magic qualify of course, but with each day that passes, the more and more the scenario becomes unlikely.

However, Hill's spirit is still high.

"My spirits are real good,'' Hill said. "I feel relieved to know -- or at least have a good idea -- as to why this thing has occurred. I've never really had that before."