The NBA?s #1 pick from the 2004 draft, Dwight Howard, has signed a multiyear endorsement contract for Adidas-Salomon AG, the world?s second-largest sporting-goods maker.  Adidas had previously signed rookies Josh Smith, J.R Smith and Sebastian Telfair.

The terms of Mr. Howard?s contract were not disclosed.

Now that sidekick Tracy McGrady has taken his show to Texas, are the Orlando Magic about to get the suprise of all suprises in the form of a healthy Grant Hill?

After three major foot surgeries, the oft injured former Duke standout is apparently feeling just fine.  

"I'm doing great. I feel good and I am working hard," Hill told The Boston Globe. "It's been a long off-season, but I did keep myself busy. Even during last season, which was my off-season, I was in the gym every day working on my game, trying to get better. And I look forward to hopefully showing everyone what I worked on."

Hill has only played 47 games with the Magic after signing a maximum-salaried deal in the summer of 2000.  The last of his three major operations was on March 18, 2003, two months after his last game.  

Hill has been working out for three hours a day at the Duke Bluedevil facilities and has reportedly been playing all-out full court ball with no icing afterwards.

"He definitely believes he's back," Orlando GM John Weisbrod said. "I can tell by the gleam in his eye. Before, there was always that trepidation.

No one is getting too excited just yet about these latest developments as some of us have become quite jaded over the prospect of Grant Hill playing a full season, however this time Hill is convinced.

"If I didn't believe 100 percent that I would be able to come back healthy and beat this injury, then I wouldn't have had the surgery or wouldn't have put myself through this. I am excited about being healthy, I am excited about this team and upcoming season. I like the fact that people kind of count me out and kind of count the team out."

Vince Carter, who announced last week that he wants to be traded from the Toronto Raptors, has made the Orlando Magic his first choice of destination.

Any deal for Carter would have to involve Steve Francis and unfortunately for Carter, Orlando GM John Weisbrod is keen on keeping his new point guard.

"There just aren't many scenarios you could draw up where we'd be a better team in acquiring him," Magic General Manager John Weisbrod said, "not when you factor in whom we would have to trade. I can say in no uncertain terms, we would not trade Steve Francis for Vince Carter.

"The more I'm around him, the more I'm a Steve Francis guy," Weisbrod said. "Don't get me wrong, Vince is an unbelievable athlete, but I'd rather have Steve Francis. Steve is a warrior."

Pat Riley of the other Florida team, the Miami Heat, also gave Carter a modest expression of interest, signalling that Carter will have to look beyond his native Florida if he wants to play in his native United States.

The current trade demands by Baron Davis was a sudden surprise to most NBA insiders.  It was no secret that the Hornets would have a difficult time competing in the Western Conference now that they have been realigned.

Apparently, when the Magic signed Hornets free-agent forward Stacey Augmon this summer, Davis wasn't happy to lose his closest friend on the team.  They also did not re-sign Courtney Alexander, another friend of Davis', who missed last year's entire season due to injury.

"They let go two of the players I was closest to," Davis said. "I can't do anything but sit and wait and see what happens."

Although the Hornets thought Augmon, 36, was too old to help anymore, the Magic wanted his leadership and defensive abilities. Davis wanted him too, but he didn't get it, leading to his recent demand for a trade.

The Orlando Magic are giving long-time television analyst Jack Givens a one-year paid leave of absence.  Former coach Matt Guokas will fill-in in the interim.

Givens is facing charges of sexual assault involving a minor and awaiting a preliminary hearing with Orange County on October 27th.