Pat Williams and Marty Blake, two NBA talent evaluators from way back, were chatting on Williams' radio show recently.

Their conversation shifted to international players. Blake's mind wandered to 1970 when, as the general manager of the Atlanta Hawks, he selected the first two foreign players in NBA draft history. In the 19-round draft, he took Mexico's Manuel Raga in the 10th round and Italy's Dino Meneghin in the 11th round.

Blake wanted to bring them to the United States, but neither ever played in the NBA.

"Why didn't you sign them?" asked Williams, the Magic's senior vice president.

"We didn't have the $35,000 to buy out their overseas contracts," replied Blake, now the NBA's super scout.