HoopsHype.com Rumors

Yes, the Nets are still Howard’s desired destination, but GM Billy King still hasn’t had a substantive conversation with Smith lately. Orlando has made it clear to everyone that it’s a buyer to find help for Howard, not a seller. Yet, most teams believe the Magic will eventually realize they simply don’t have the assets to bring back a significant player to join Howard. Several executives insist forward Ryan Anderson has the most value to teams, and the Magic are determined to re-sign him to a long-term deal. Yahoo! Sports

Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

Alex Kennedy: For those saying that Ryan Anderson is a great asset, many executives around the league believe Anderson is a product of Orlando's system. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

Ryan Anderson's name has come up in rumors, just as many of his teammates' names have. "I think we just have to block it out," Anderson said. "We have to do everything we can to not involve ourselves in it because this happens with every team every year. But just the fact that we have the biggest story and the guy that obviously is such a big part of this team and this community, we're magnified. "It's something we can't focus too much on or else it's going to alter the way we play. Ultimately, we're having a good year and we have a good team. We just need to build off of that. Who knows what's going to happen. What if we're worried about this so much and then nothing happens?" Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Trade, Ryan Anderson 

"First of all, I'd like to say I apologize to the Orlando community for not bringing home the W," Anderson said. He marvelled at the quality of his competition, noting the exceptionally high first-round scores contributed in part to his defeat. So too did his airballing his first shot. Teeing off from the right corner, Anderson's first offering sailed over the basket and landed on the left side of the floor. "It might have hit a little rim," Anderson said. "We can do that. We can say that. We'll pretend it did." Orlandoinstripedpost.com

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

The Orlando Magic held a quick team meeting after Thursday night's loss, and some voices were raised in frustration. The yelling was audible outside the dressing-room door. "We talked about everybody coming back together," Magic forward Ryan Anderson said. "We got to keep each other accountable and make sure we play with great effort every night." The Magic didn't begin their All-Star break on a merry note, ending their four-game road trip by losing to the Atlanta Hawks, 83-78 at Philips Arena. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Miami Heat player James Jones will return to defend his title in the 3-point shootout as part of the NBA All-Star festivities in Orlando. As the Orlando Sentinel reported earlier, the Magic's Ryan Anderson will also compete in the event, which is part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 25 in Amway Center. Other contestants are Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Morrow of the New Jersey Nets and Mario Chalmers of the Heat. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Brian Schmitz: Expect Magic PF Ryan Anderson to be named to All-Star 3-point shooting contest any day now despite dip in avg. Still leads in 3s made, taken Twitter

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Dan Savage: Postgame @Ryan Anderson: "We have a crazy schedule right now. We are tired, but we have to push through it." #WeAreMagic Twitter

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Ryan Anderson says he doesn’t have any problem with the comments Dwight Howard made after the team’s loss in New Orleans on Friday night. I asked Anderson if Howard’s comments had any effect during Sunday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. “You know, it’s true,” Anderson said, referring to Howard’s contention that the team didn’t have enough effort during the loss to New Orleans. “I think everybody just needs to hold each other accountable. I don’t want to point fingers. I’m not here to point fingers, because I think it starts with you. If you’re going to say something like that, you have to come out and play hard, and Dwight’s played hard. He’s just looking for everybody else to back him up and come out with a ton of energy and be focused and play hard.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson 

Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith indicated Tuesday that it is unlikely the team will extend the contract of power forward Ryan Anderson before Wednesday night's 11:59 EST deadline to do so for members of the 2008 draft class. Anderson is on course to become a restricted free agent in July, and the Magic would have the opportunity to match any offer sheet that Anderson could sign with another team. "The fact of the matter is that there are very few guys that get extended contracts like that coming off rookie deals," Smith said before the Magic faced the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Smith acknowledged that Dwight Howard's unsettled situation did factor into the team's decision because the team does not know what its roster will look like in the months and years ahead. Not extending Anderson's contract helps maintain some flexibility. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson 

"I love it here [with the Magic]," Anderson said. "I want to play here for a long time. But this is my last year of my deal, so there's still after the season [to get something done], and we'll see what happens there. But it's something that's out of my control. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Last year, only five of the 30 first-round picks agreed to in-season extensions that took them off the restricted free-agent market, including a five-year, $85 million deal for Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City. So far this year, only the Bulls' Derrick Rose and Durant's teammate, Russell Westbrook, have gotten extensions done. Sources say the most likely candidates to beat Wednesday's deadline for new deals are Kevin Love (Timberwolves), Danilo Gallinari (Nuggets), Ryan Anderson (Magic) and Nicolas Batum (Trail Blazers) -- with Eric Gordon (Hornets) also a possibility. CBSSports.com

Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Nicolas Batum 

As for other 2008 draftees eligible for extension, sources say the most likely candidates to receive them are Kevin Love (Timberwolves), Ryan Anderson (Magic), Danilo Gallinari (Nuggets) and Nicolas Batum (Trail Blazers). Also possibilities are Roy Hibbert (Pacers), D.J. Augustin (Bobcats) and Jerryd Bayless (Raptors); and an interesting one will be Eric Gordon with the league-owned Hornets. Minnesota has offered Love, averaging 25.2 points and 14.5 rebounds, a four-year max deal worth $60 million. The hope is that Love will accept the four-year extension and allow small-market Minnesota to save the five-year extension for Ricky Rubio. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Roy Hibbert, DJ Augustin, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Ryan Anderson, Nicolas Batum 

But there have not yet been any substantive talks with the Magic. Austin says he understands that, especially this season, teams are likely taking their time looking at how their pieces fit -- or don't fit -- before commiting one way or the other. "I think everyone's just waiting," Austin said. "I like it better, because everything is (normally) so deadline driven. If you start two weeks before, you're not going to get anything done until the last week anyway, so you might as well wait until that last week." NBA.com

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Van Gundy acknowledged how well PF Ryan Anderson has played, but he said coaches shouldn't vote for him as an All-Star Game reserve --- not yet, anyway. Van Gundy said that goes for any other young player who hasn't established himself. "I'm not putting a guy in for the first time who doesn't have the resume yet," Van Gundy said. "Not when there are guys like Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer and Kevin Garnett, guys who have been doing it for years. I don't think they would or should. If it's close, it has to be based on a guy's body of work." Van Gundy said he told Anderson the same thing Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Anderson's performance Friday bothered Anderson enough that he stopped at Dwight Howard's locker after the game to talk with Howard for about 10 minutes. Later, Anderson told reporters that he wanted to see what Howard expects from him. Anderson also told reporters that he wanted to tell Howard that he will bring better energy and more aggression in the future. On Saturday afternoon, as he stood on the court where he once dreamed of playing, he said he has put the loss to Chicago behind him. "I have to," Anderson said. "There's no point in reminiscing back on a game like that. Yeah, obviously, I could have played better. I could have shot the ball better. I could have played better defense. Everything. But that's the best thing about the NBA: There's another game and there's a lot more games. "I'll just bounce back." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson 

Ryan Anderson has started all four games and is the team's leading scorer at 19.5 points per game heading into tonight's matchup against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. He also leads the NBA in most 3-pointers made, with 16, as of Saturday. Anderson and Davis were vying for the only starting spot open during the preseason. "I feel good. I feel confident and comfortable," Anderson said. "My teammates are looking for me, and all I have to do is keeping making shots and crash the boards." Anderson, 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, certainly has put coach Stan Van Gundy at ease with his play so far. "The way Anderson is playing is unbelievable," Bobcats SF Corey Maggette said. "He gives them a different dimension to the game." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson 

Samples said the D12 Foundation also has received commitments from Gilbert Arenas, Trevor Ariza, Carlos Arroyo, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Earl Clark, Drew Gooden, Rashard Lewis, Mike Miller, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and DeShawn Stevenson. Those commitments are in addition to Ryan Anderson, Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Daniel Orton, who have told the Orlando Sentinel directly or through their agents that they expect to play. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Daniel Orton, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson, Chris Duhon, Mike Miller, Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes, Carlos Arroyo, Drew Gooden, Brandon Bass, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, Quentin Richardson, Lockout, Ryan Anderson, Earl Clark, DeShawn Stevenson 

Ryan Anderson on his goal this summer: “I really want to focus on working out, and take what I’m working on the weight room and take them home. I want to get a lot stronger, that’s something I’ve really focused on the last couple years.” On the specific skills he’s working on: “I’m working on different aspects of my game. Last year I got a lot more comfortable going into a one-dribble pull-up, but I want to get more comfortable using that in games. I can make that shot. Also, one thing I really want to work on, like you said, is going off the dribble. But another element that I’m really working on is my post-game, my low-post game. And getting better position down low. I think that correlates with everything I’m trying to work on. Going into a one-driblle pull up, or going int a drive game, you hav eto really be under control and balanced, and that’s something I’m really trying to work on, is my balance. So it all kind of goes together with what I’m doing right now.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson