HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jameer Nelson can, and likely will, opt-out of the final year of his contract. Sources close to the situation say that Nelson wants to test free agency and sign a long-term deal that gives him some security going forward. Nelson doesn’t want to be dealt as an expiring contract and end up in a bad situation. If he leaves Orlando, he wants to choose his next team rather than being dealt somewhere out of his control. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Jameer Nelson 

John Denton: OK here is the word on #magic PG Jameer Nelson per his contract: He has until June 15 to notify team of whether he will opt out of contract. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

The Orlando Magic's co-captain and starting point guard must make a decision whether invoke his player option for the 2012-13 season, and General Manager Otis Smith said that Nelson is contractually obligated to make his choice known within three days of the Magic's final postseason game. "I can't make the decision until some other decisions are made around here," Nelson said. "I want to be here in the Orlando Magic uniform. I love being here. I love being in the city." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Otis Smith 

"I'm a Jameer Nelson fan," Smith said. "I've always been a Jameer Nelson fan since probably his sophomore year in college. That hasn't changed. What he's able to do on the floor probably puts him in the top tier of point guards in this league. We'd like to keep him around the franchise as long as we can keep him around the franchise." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Jameer Nelson, Otis Smith 

Josh Robbins: Otis Smith said Jameer Nelson has three days to decide on his player option. #Magic Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Otis Smith 

Nelson scored 27 points, drilled five 3-pointers and handed out five assists in Tuesday’s 105-87 Game 5 loss to Indiana Pacers. Nelson made $7.3 million this season and is scheduled to make $7.8 million next season. However, he could decide to opt out of his contract in hopes of landing a multi-year contract that will provide him with some long-term certainty. Nelson said his first option is to remain in Orlando, but only if it’s the best financial decision for the long term. ``I’d love to stay here in Orlando and I want to be in Orlando. I have to sit down with my agent and my family and decide what’s best for myself,’’ Nelson said. ``We just have to sit down and talk to the organization about what’s going on and make a decision.’’ NBA.com

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

Nelson said that his agent, Steve Mountain, would discuss the point guard’s future with the Magic with President of Basketball Operations/GM Otis Smith in the coming days. Nelson must make his intentions known to the team in the coming days. ``That’s not my job; that’s my agent’s job. I’ll put the pressure on him to go talk to Otis,’’ Nelson said. ``Obviously we have to have that conversation because it’s a business. This is an organization that wants me here, I love playing in Orlando and I love playing with the guys around here. This is after a loss and my head is a thousand different places, but we’ll have to make a decision. I’ll take time off, not even think about basketball a little bit and sit down with my agent and figure it out.’’ NBA.com

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

Dan Savage: .@JameerNelson: "We've proven, obviously, that we can beat this team." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

Evan Dunlap: Citing sources, @HowardtheDunk says Jameer Nelson will opt out of his contract. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Jameer Nelson 

Evan Dunlap: Speculation: Jameer would only opt out to secure long-term deal w/ Magic at lower annual $ amt. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Jameer Nelson 

But Nelson has a player option for the 2012-13 season. He can either opt in for the upcoming season and earn about $7.8 million, or he can opt out and test the free-agent market. He will have to make a decision and declare his intentions within a week of the Magic’s final postseason game. “My thing is, I definitely want to be here next year and for the rest of my career,” Nelson said. “I’m just focusing on winning games and helping my team win and lead the team. But definitely it’s something in the back of my mind. But, like I said, I can’t focus on it as much as I would like to. I’ll sit down with my team and my family at the end of the season and discuss what’s going on and what are the possibilities.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

One thing is for sure – the players want to move on from talking about this latest bizarre incident. Nelson was asked a simple question as to whether he and his teammates were forced to choose sides – coach or superstar? “No, I am one of the leaders and captains of the team and it is not about me choosing sides,” he said. “It’s about me leading the team.” So that means simply being an extension of the coach on the floor. “Whatever game plan Stan puts out, I have to help execute to the best of my ability with these guys,” Nelson said. HoopsHype

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard 

John Denton: Jameer: "It’s about Stan, management and players sticking together. I love Stan as a coach." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

John Denton: More Jameer Nelson on Stan Van Gundy: "Since he’s been here he’s helped my career tremendously. He’s a great person and he wants to win.’’ Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

Sources close to Nelson have said he has not made up his mind on his Player Option, but that opting out and picking and insuring his next situation is appealing. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Jameer Nelson 

John Denton: Dwight: "We didn't lose the game because me and Jameer weren't in the huddle. We were down 30 so I'm pretty sure that wasn't it." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard 

Meanwhile, back at the trading post, some deals may actually be getting close to finalization and the Lakers are in middle of them. They’re determined to acquire a point guard sooner than two weeks from now. If it’s a multi-player transaction, Pau Gasol will be sacrificed. Should the Magic change their mind about accepting Andrew Bynum for Howard (Pau’s inclusion might do it), Jameer Nelson would almost have to be part of the package unless an above-average ball-handler can be obtained elsewhere. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Jameer Nelson 

Jameer Nelson has been cleared to play tonight for the Orlando Magic against the Los Angeles Clippers, a Magic team spokesman said. Nelson sustained a concussion Jan. 27 and has missed the Magic’s last five games. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, who heads the NBA’s new concussion program, signed off on Nelson’s return. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Injuries 

Magic PG Jameer Nelson admitted that C Dwight Howard's mention of playing with other point guards affected him. A slumping Nelson said Howard's talking about playing with Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets and Chris Paul of the L.A. Lakers, made him press some this season. "Maybe a little bit of that," he said after playing one of his better games of the season Friday night, scoring 17 points and adding nine assists in the Magic's 92-80 win against the Lakers. Magic GM Otis Smith said earlier in the day that he thought part of Nelson's poor play was because Howard "indirectly threw him under the bus." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson 

"I'm here to play basketball and I can't worry about what anybody says. I'm here because I'm a winner and they want me here. I know if they didn't want me, I wouldn't be here," Nelson said. "I'm human and a lot of things affect you. We're basketball players, but we're also human. A lot of the stuff that came out about other point guards being here was basically months ago, so if I was hurt, I'm over it." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson