John Denton of the Florida Today writes: The Orlando Magic have a particular affinity for the NBA's free-agency sweepstakes, and it is little secret that they already are gazing their eyes to the summer of 2003 when an All-Star cast of Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Jermaine O'Neal and Raef LaFrentz will become available.

The Magic are the masters of this game, selling their powerful theme of sunshine, no state taxes and Doc Rivers' smarmy charm to prospective free agents. It was enough to woo Tracy McGrady out of Canada and Grant Hill away from Detroit. And this past summer, they got Horace Grant and Patrick Ewing to accept minimal deals to play in Orlando.

The Magic have positioned themselves perfectly for another run at Duncan, the big one that barely got away in July of 2000. Just four players -- McGrady, Hill and rookies Steven Hunter and Jeryl Sasser -- are under contract past next season, leaving them $13 to $16 million to throw at Duncan's feet.

But the concern coursing throughout the Magic now is that they will be playing by a different set of rules the next time they cast a line into the free-agent waters. Rich DeVos is in the process of trying to sell the team, something that -- regardless the new owner -- will fling the organization into a time of transition. And with no new revenue-producing arena on the horizon, there is that looming threat that the Magic might someday vacate Central Florida.

All of it has Rivers fretting at night.

"I worry what if we're still in limbo next year. That really scares me," he said. "Once the sale goes through, you're fine. But if it drags out and there are still all kinds of questions about ownership and people are wondering where we're going, we're not getting any free agents. Let's just be honest: Who wants to come here with the thought that we might be playing in St. Louis or somewhere else someday?

"I'm pretty sure we'll have a sale or a different commitment from our ownership by then. But until then, it's a concern."