MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Center Dwight Howard, 21, remains the foundation of this team and the only untouchable going into the summer. Howard made his first All-Star team, averaging 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds. He had four games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. He has the potential to be a great defensive player and a big-time scorer, but he has to continue improving to get there.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
Point guard Jameer Nelson, in his third season, was expected to become a cornerstone of the franchise, giving the Magic both a center and a point guard for the future. Nelson was disappointing. Too many turnovers, not enough assists and an inability to guard any of the bigger point guards in the league really exposed him. Although the team general manager remains in Nelson's corner, coach Brian Hill has serious questions about how effective he can be.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
The first thing the Magic must do this summer is figure out what to do with restricted free agent Darko Milicic. They can match any offer he receives to keep him, and they liked how he finished the season. After an up-and-down season, there are plenty of questions about how good he can be, but he is just 21 years old, and he finished strong in the playoffs. Other free agents like Bo Outlaw and Travis Diener will not be re-signed. The Magic will try and re-sign free agent Grant Hill, but only to a minimum-wage contract.

PLAYER NOTES

--Dwight Howard became the first Magic player since Tracy McGrady in 2004 to be named to one of the All-NBA teams. Howard was named to the All-NBA Third Team. This came in his third season, the same one in which he became an All-Star. Howard is expected to sign a five-year, $80 million contract extension this summer.

--Guard J.J. Redick will be the Magic's busiest player this summer, trying to make up for all the time he missed a year ago. Redick missed most of last summer because of a herniated disc in his back. This summer, he will play at the Magic's rookie camp. He also was invited back to the USA Basketball camp that will include Dwight Howard. He also is expected to play basketball at Duke University this summer.

--Forward Darko Milicic will become the Magic's first order of business this summer. They need to get him re-signed before they can proceed with free agency. Milicic is expected to take up a huge chunk of their salary cap room. He scored in double figures in all four of the Magic's playoff games.

--Forward Trevor Ariza, thought to be an up-and-coming player for the way he sparked the team off the bench, was a forgotten and ineffective player in the playoffs, leaving his future in question. Ariza, 21, was too small to guard Detroit forwards Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, and he could become trade bait this summer.

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