Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said he expects talks between him and point guard Jameer Nelson's agent to heat up as the sides approach an Oct. 31 deadline to get a contract extension worked out.

Smith and Steve Mountain, Nelson's Philadelphia-based representative, held preliminary talks this past summer, but were unable to reach much common ground. Nelson's side would prefer a contract similar to the five-year, $42 million contract that Devin Harris got this summer from the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith said there's no reason for him to meet such a demand because few teams will have that much salary cap space next summer. If Nelson doesn't reach a deal with the Magic before Oct. 31, he will become a restricted free agent next summer.

"I'll just say the closer we get to the 31st the closer we'll probably get in talks," Smith said. "Right now they're not moving off their number, and I'm not moving off my number. And even if we get to the 31st I don't see us moving off our number."