Pay Darko now or later?
Thanks to an offseason weightlifting program, Darko Milicic has bulked up, reportedly adding 20-25 pounds of muscle to his 7-foot frame. Now the question becomes: Will he shed the weight of all those expectations that have become so heavy since he was drafted second overall in 2003?
During his 2-1/2 year tenure in Detroit, Milicic received more grief than playing time. His development was of secondary concern to a Pistons club focused on the immediate goal of winning titles. But last February's trade to Orlando gave him a fresh start and significant minutes on a younger team with long-range aspirations and more patience.
Then at this summer's World Championships in Japan, he had a breakthrough performance with his Serbia & Montenegro team, averaging 16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds while holding his own against the best international players. With a bigger, stronger body and a chance at moving into the Magic's starting lineup alongside Dwight Howard, he appears poised to have a breakout season.
But for now, it's OK to remain skeptical about Milicic. After all, the Magic appear to be. Faced with signing Milicic to a extension or waiting until next summer when his contract ends and he becomes a free agent (the Magic will have first-refusal rights), GM Otis Smith has indicated he wants to judge the 21-year-old's worth on more than the 30 games he played in Orlando last season.
Wise move, but it'll prove costly if Milicic matches his Japan numbers this season. Smith, however, seems willing to pay a premium for a proven Milicic as opposed to rolling the dice now on one who remains an enigma. Of course, judging a player in his contract year also has its own risks, since his motivation might disappear as soon as he inks that big-money deal.
