Thoughts on the Magic-Suns-Wizards Blockbuster

I'm going to Orlando to play with Hedo? Ball.

The Magic made two trades today in the hopes of possibly re-invigorating their franchise's title hopes.  The first was with the Phoenix Suns in which they sent Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, their 2011 first rounder and $3 million to bring back former Magic player Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark.  The 2nd trade was for much maligned star Gilbert Arenas, for which they swapped Rashard Lewis.

I really don't know what to make of this from Orlando's point of view.  This is an incredible gamble, especially taking on Gilbert and Hedo's contracts, and if it doesn't work (i.e. not winning a title this or next year) it could have some bad consequences (the worst of which would be Dwight leaving).  The best player in this deal is probably Jason Richardson, who unlike Carter, can actually play some defense every now and then, and he's a much more consistent shooter as well.  So that's an upgrade.

The bigger questions, and the reasons I don't really like the trade, are Gilbert and Hedo.  Both those guys need the ball to be effective.  Both those guys don't play defense.  Arenas has only played 68 games in the last four years due to a myriad of injuries and suspensions.  Turkoglu has been on a steady decline ever since his career year in 2007-08, and I don't buy the fact that he'll suddenly revert back to form now that he's back in Orlando again.

The Magic also lost their backup Center in Gortat, which although Gortat is quite good, isn't as big a loss considering Dwight Howard is the starter.  Still, I have a hard time seeing Orlando not trade for a backup center by the deadline, as right now, Malik Allen is the backup and that won't do if Howard is in foul trouble.  This trade has definitely brought attention back to Orlando.  It could work out, or it could be a train wreck.  I'm leaning towards train wreck as of now.

From Washington and Phoenix's standpoint, it makes more sense to me.  Phoenix isn't winning a title anytime soon anyway so trading their leading scorer in Richardson doesn't hurt as much as it would other teams.  Besides, as he was an expiring contract he likely would've left at the end of the season anyway.  Now Phoenix has Vince Carter's unguaranteed contract to work with as an asset, and he'll produce a bit too, even if its not as efficient as J-Rich.  The real prize for Phoenix though is getting Gortat, a true Center who can rebound, block shots, and run the floor.  It's a big upgrade to any big man they have now.  Pietrus isn't bad as a wing defender either, and together with Hill and Dudley, that's a pretty solid perimeter defender rotation Phoenix has going for it.

For Washington this was all about money and clearing the way for John Wall.  Gilbert's reputation in Washington has taken a big hit over the last couple years, especially after the gun incident, and it was time to part ways.  The hard part was finding a taker till now.  But with Rashard Lewis, the Wizards now get a huge upgrade to possibly their weakest position, and it now frees up all the ball handling responsibilities to John Wall as well as more minutes for Nick Young.  Lewis's contract comes off the books at the end of 2012/13, although that last year is partially unguaranteed.  If he doesn't meet certain performance bonuses, Washington can waive him before the start of the 2012/13 season and save about $30 million more than if they had kept Arenas.  That's a nice chunk of change.