"I'd be very excited if we could get a chance to play together," Howard said of Lewis, whose average of 22.4 points per game last season for the Sonics was higher than anyone on the Magic posted.

No indication was given how long Lewis and his agent, Tony Dutt, planned to stay in Orlando . Howard made it sound as if he would reintroduce himself to Lewis once he finished making an appearance to benefit the Pine Hill Boys and Girls Club.

"I'll be myself and just let him know that he can help us win a lot," Howard said. "He's a great person."

The Magic could have as much as $13 million in salary-cap room to sign an available scorer from a short list that got even shorter after Vince Carter agreed in principle to remain with the New Jersey Nets. But it is unlikely they can get anything accomplished with Lewis until they figure out what to do with Darko Milicic, who is a restricted free agent and thus currently constitutes a so-called "cap hold" of around $15 million.

Mark Cornstein, the agent for the 22-year-old 7-footer from Serbia , said he has heard from "almost every team in the league" but not the Magic since Sunday. Should the Magic lose Milicic, who averaged eight points and 5.5 rebounds in his first full season with them, it could leave backup point guard Carlos Arroyo as all the team has to show for a trade in which it sent its first-round draft pick to the Detroit Pistons.

"I don't think it's much of a secret that they covet Rashard Lewis," Cornstein said.

The longest contract to which the Magic can sign Lewis is one that covers five years. The Sonics can sign him to a six-year deal, although they can then pull off a sign-and-trade deal similar to the one that brought Grant Hill to the Magic from the Pistons in 2000.

Hill's contract worth almost $93 million, a subject of much second-guessing and scorn over the last seven years, expired over the weekend. If he returns to the Magic -- he'll turn 35 in October -- it will probably be at the veteran's minimum salary of close to $1.5 million.

"He's been an inspiration," said Howard, who played in a total of 153 regular-season games with Hill the past three years. "Whatever he decides, I'm happy. But if he doesn't (return), he's already done enough for me and my teammates. He's a great person and a standout guy."

Howard will be heading back to his hometown of Atlanta next week for the third annual basketball camp he and his father are holding. The following week, he'll be in Las Vegas for a mini-camp that will determine the roster for the United States team in an Olympic qualifying tournament that begins Aug. 22.

"I've got a pretty busy summer," he said.

NBA Future:
DeVon Hardin
DeVon Hardin An active and athletic center who has already developed into one of the top shot-blockers in school history, Hardin gives the Bears an experienced big man in the middle ... earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors last season after ranking among the league leaders in rebounding (5th, 6.6 rpg) and blocks (4th, 1.55 bpg) ... already ranks sixth on Cal's all-time blocks list with 74 and will move into second place with 49 more blocked shots ... enters the season with 43 starts in 60 career games ... underwent left shoulder surgery in April and was cleared for full contact in September ... attended the Pete Newell Big Man Camp over the summer.

NBA Future:
Jermaine Bell
Jermaine Bell An early entry candidate for the 2005 NBA Draft, but was not selected. Was also an early entry candidate for the 2004 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration. College Highlights: Played one season at Indian Hills Community College, averaging 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocked shots as a freshman. Led the conference in blocked shots, ranked second in scoring and ranked third in rebounding.

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