The Orlando Magic are making major moves as they attempt to stay in the mix a top the Eastern Conference.
The Magic and Phoenix Suns completed a trade that will send former Magic F Hedo Turkoglu, SG Jason Richardson, and F Earl Clark to Orlando for SG Vince Carter, C Marcin Gortat, SG Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 1st round pick, and $3 million in cash considerations.
The deal between the Magic and Suns is a precursor to a 1-for-1 trade between Orlando and the Washington Wizards that sent F Rashard Lewis to Washington for embattled G Gilbert Arenas.
Lewis has 2 1/2 years remaining on a 6-year $118 million contract he signed with Orlando back in the 2007 offseason. He salary is within 15% of Arenas’s backloaded contract making the straight up trade possible.
The Magic seem desparate to keep C Dwight Howard happy as he approaches free agency in two years. The question becomes is the trio of Arenas, Richardson, and Turkoglu an upgrade over Carter, Lewis, Pietrus, and Gortat?
Arenas and Richardson excelled sharing a backcourt early in their careers with the Golden State Warriors. Additionally, Turkoglu played some of the best basketball of his career with the Orlando Magic as they made a run to the NBA finals in 2009.
While the two moves upgrade Orlando’s backcourt, their frontline is extremely thin consisting of just Howard and PF Brandon Bass.
Phoenix receives significant salary relief with the move and speculation will continue to mount about the Suns potentially moving franchise PG Steve Nash.
Can someone say “Quality Shot” ?
Can someone say “Quality Shot” ?