Earlier this week, Magic guard Keyon Dooling picked up the option on his original three-year contract, bypassing the chance to become a free agent next month. Dooling will be making an estimated $3.5 million.

As much as anyone, Dooling was excited about the hiring of Van Gundy, who coached him during the one season (2004-05) he played in Miami.

"I learned more from one year with Stan than I did in my first four years in the league,"' said Dooling, who started his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. "He'll be a great asset to the team. [His hiring] only made me more excited about coming back."

Dooling averaged 7.9 points and 1.9 assists for the Magic last season, his second in Orlando since coming from Miami.