Speculation from Adrian Wojnarowski and others was that the Magic’s decision to sign Quentin Richardson meant they would be more willing to let J.J. Redick go to the Bulls with his front-loaded offer sheet. But Magic GM Otis Smith said, “One has nothing to do with the other,” and that the signing of Richardson won’t prevent them from signing Redick -- if they want to.

The Magic still haven’t decided if they want to. Because despite 2009-10 being Redick's best season as a pro, yet, and the Magic publicly saying they want to bring him back, Redick would cost the Magic nearly $14 million next season -- unless they were able to move a player or two off the roster. If they can’t clear cap space for Redick -- when you say that it means it's time for free agency to end -- it seems like it'd be hard to match the Bulls' front-loaded offer. The Bulls' offer includes a $7 million first year, which would also mean the Magic are paying dollar-for-dollar that amount in luxury tax. Count it, that’s $14 million for J.J. Redick -- and for less than three seasons.

Still, no matter where you stand on Redick -- want the Magic to save the Bulls by matching; hope he becomes the new starting 2-guard -- the Richardson signing is good news. Smith said Richardson has nothing to do with Redick, but he never said it didn’t signal the end of Matt Barnes’ time in Orlando.

Barnes, unlike Redick and Kyle Korver, has been a starter in this league. At the same position as Luol Deng, but still, I’ll take starter-caliber players where I can get them. And the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, reports the Bulls are thinking the same way. On the Magic’s acquisition of Richardson:

“It assures Matt Barnes’ exit, however, and the tough, defense-minded forward is on the Bulls’ radar.”

ESPN Chicago’s Nick Friedell thinks there’s a good chance Barnes would accept a three-year deal worth $12-$15 million. I think there are probably other teams thinking the same thing, though. Even so, I'd like it if an offer in that range was extended to Barnes sooner rather than later.

Friedell also notes that Barnes rarely misses games due to injury, while Luol Deng is the opposite of that. And besides defensive guru Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls’ offseason has focused primarily on the offensive end; you have to think the Thibodeau is begging GarPax to add at least one above average defensive player before the summer is over.

Best case scenario: The Magic decide to keep Redick, too.

Nothing against Redick. Personally, I’d rather have him than Korver. Both can shoot. But Redick can do a few other things -- or when it comes to defense, at least he tries to do a few other things. But it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks because Korver’s being introduced to the media this afternoon.

The Magic can still stop the Bulls from spending $20 million on a career bench player who will be thrown into the starting lineup, despite the fact that he does almost exactly the same things as another free agent signed earlier in the same day.