by Tom Morgan

ORLANDO, FL. -- The Orlando Magic did not trade star player Dwight Howard after all.

Even though Houston was stockpiling picks in Thursday night's NBA Draft, the Rockets and Magic did not pull off a rumored trade for the disgruntled center.

Instead, the Magic's new GM, Rob Hennigan, picked two relative unknown big men.

Andrew Nicholson, a 6-9, 250 pound forward out of St. Bonaventure, was taken by the Magic with the 19th pick. Nicholson earned All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors all four seasons. He brings alot of smarts to Orlando. Nicholson is a physics major.

With the 49th pick the Magic selected 6-10, 240 pound forward Kyle O'Quinn of Norfolk State. He's considered to be the top mid-major player.

O'Quinn was the MEAC Player of the Year and helped Norfolk State upset Missouri in the NCAA tournament.

The world champion Miami Heat selected Mississippi State forward Arnett Moultrie with the 27th pick in the draft and dealt him to the Philadelphia 76ers for a second-round pick and a future first-rounder. The second round pick was LSU big man Justin Hamilton.

Elsewhere in the draft - former Florida guard Bradley Beal was the third pick by the Washington Wizards.

Former Winter Park high school star, Austin Rivers, was taken with the tenth pick by New Orleans.

FSU forward Bernard James, who spent six years in the Air Force before joining the Seminoles, was taken with the 33rd pick by Cleveland, then traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

In other state sports news...

  • The Magic have made a qualifying offer to free agent forward Ryan Anderson. That means the Magic can match any offer Anderson gets. Anderson becomes a restricted free agent on July 1.
  • Magic guard Jameer Nelson's deadline to opt out of his contract is today. Nelson could become a free agent or resign with the Magic.
  • Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade needs surgery on his left knee and will miss the London Olympics. Wade played through pain for much of the postseason, yet still averaged 22.6 points during Miami's five-game win over Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.
  • Miguel Cabrera smacked a solo homer and finished with four hits and two RBIs to help the Detroit Tigers beat Tampa Bay 5-2. It was the Rays' fourth straight loss.