Magic Complete Two Trades
The Orlando Magic have completed trades with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns that will radically change the face of the team.
In two separate trades, the Magic acquired Gilbert Arenas from the Wizards in exchange for Rashard Lewis, and they re-acquired Hedo Turkoglu, who was a member of the 2009 NBA Finals team, by sending Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus to the Suns. Orlando also gets Jason Richardson from Phoenix in the deal. The Suns also get cash and a first-round pick from Orlando.
This is a risky move for the Magic, no question, as they give up their only back-up center in the deal, and they also take on a huge contract in Gilbert Arenas, whose injury history is well-documented. Dealing Carter was all but guaranteed, given his inability to fit in with Orlando’s gameplan (or get along with Dwight Howard), and Jason Richardson is absolutely an upgrade, but this trade is not without its long-term risks for the Magic.
First of all, the Magic, who are in championship-or-bust-cost-be-damned mode, take on Gilbert Arenas at $17.7 million this season, $19.3 next season, $20.8 the following year (ETO) and $22.3 in 2013-14. They also take on Turkoglu at $9.8 million this season, $10.6 million next, and $11.4 in the final year.
Jason Richardson is the low-risk aspect for the Magic, as Richardson in the final year of his contract and is having a phenomenal year. The Suns’ scoring leader is averaging 19.3 points per game and shooting over 47% from the field and 41% from three.
Earl Clark is in the final year of his rookie deal and was really the throw-in to make the numbers work, though the Suns have been working to move Clark for some time.
{AUTHOR_BOX}The real hope for the Magic in this deal is that Hedo Turkoglu will return to the form he showed in his previous stint with the team and help lead them back to the Finals. After being heavily criticized in both Toronto and Phoenix, Hedo will be welcomed back to Orlando with open arms by teammates and fans alike.
As for Arenas and Richardson, between the two of them they will add a significant amount of firepower to the Magic’s backcourt, as well as enough star power to hopefully overshadow the challenge that’s rising in Miami.
The Wizards were primarily looking for a way to get Gilbert Arenas away from John Wall, and how they did it was secondary.
There’s a story circulating that the Houston Rockets were looking to make a deal for Gortat, whom they chased in free agency and nearly landed, but the Magic were insisting on getting Kevin Martin back in the trade and the Rockets weren’t willing to do that. Houston put other pieces on the table, but the Magic really wanted to land Richardson if they couldn’t get Martin.
For the Suns, this is another chance to clear some cap space, unload two players who weren’t fitting in (Turkoglu, Clark) and put themselves in a better cap position next summer after Carter’s contract comes off the books. Steve Nash was already frustrated with the situation in Phoenix . . .we can’t help but wonder if he’s the next to go.
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