They picked up Hedo and J-Rich from the Suns along with Earl Clark. They trade away Vince and Gortat and a number 1 this year.

 

Looking like they will get Arenas as well from the Wizards for Rashard Lewis.

:scared:

 

All of this according to ESPN

This shake up could make Orlando dangerous again- Richardson and Lewis are a wash, but Hedo has not been the same since he left Orlando. He could revive his career. Agent 0 is the wild card- if he is back to form, I would argue this is the most talented team in the East.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5932861

 

Here is the article- Orlando also gives up Pietrus to the Suns.

Beat me to it.

 

 

Since these threads are probably going to be combined I'm just going to elaborate on something I mentioned in the other thread.

 

 

 

From a John Wall fan perspective or for someone with the best interest possible in the Wizards perspective they would have been better off with Carter and his expiring contract IMO. They get a talented player in Lewis, but maybe not the type of player who is going to be a stud alongside of Wall. The way the team is structured now I can maybe see why they did it, maybe thinking of starting Hinrich at the 2, Lewis, Blatche and Mcgee, or when Josh Howard comes back play Howard at the 3, Lewis 4, Blatche 5. Either way, I feel they should just blow this entire roster up. Its clear that from top to bottom the talent isnt there for the Wiz and with Lewis' contract as heavy as Arenas' they will not have the cap freedom to bring in quality guys next year. I mean look at some of the guys on their roster, Cartier Martin, Alonzo Gee, Hilton Armstrong, guys who typically wouldn't even be on 2/3's of the leagues 12 man roster, but yet scoring significant minutes with Washington. If they could have gotten Carter's expiring contract, depending on performance could have maybe opted to bring him back next year, but possibly for a better deal, much like Howard this year. You could then have the cap freedom to get a few quality guys via free agency to pair along with another likely high lottery pick.

 

Getting Arenas out is a big plus for the future, but not sure bringing in Lewis is the answer either. I just feel they should have done everything to end up with Carter being he was the rumored trade piece all along. Then with another high draft pick could start to remake this team over with young talent mixed with a few quality veteran guys. McGee, Nick Young and Al Thorton are all very talented young guys, I think the freedom of more money available this off season is more attractive than Lewis. But I am not Ted Leonis or a NBA GM.

 

 

 

 

 

ps. not to act like I am complaining. I am pulling pretty hard for the Wiz now that Wall is there and I think a trade of Gilbert was very much needed.

I also had read that Washington was asking for the number one pick, not sure why the Suns got it instead being they received Gortat, Carter and Pietrus. Looked pretty fair to me especially with what the Suns sent in return.

Could have been Vince Carter's last shot to get a ring, he should pass 20,000 points this year.

WoW, not 100% sure how I feel about this yet.

I don't think this makes the Magic a threat to win the East any more than they already were. Richardson is a nice addition, but between him, Agent Zero, Turkoglu, and Nelson it is going to be hard for those guys to have the ball in their hands enough to be successful IMO. Arenas and Turk are really devlaued when they have to play off of the ball I think. And all of this has to be stated beofre Howard comes into the picture. I will give them an A for effort though, because they had to do something.

 

As for the Wizards, I think this was a step backwards to take two steps forward. Lewis doesn't seem like a long-term answer but his contract is shorter than Arenas' (I think). They had to move Gilbert, and to do that they had to take on another bad deal. If Wall, Blatche and McGee continue to develop, when Rashard's money comes off the books Washington will be an attractive spot for Free Agents IMO.

As for the Wizards, I think this was a step backwards to take two steps forward. Lewis doesn't seem like a long-term answer but his contract is shorter than Arenas' (I think). They had to move Gilbert, and to do that they had to take on another bad deal. If Wall, Blatche and McGee continue to develop, when Rashard's money comes off the books Washington will be an attractive spot for Free Agents IMO.

 

I agree, but its going to be another rough couple of years until then IMO. Obviously not as bad as this year because of all the injuries the Wizards have sustained. If they can add somebody like Enes, Jones, Barnes, Jones III in the draft though, then this is going to be a good young team going forward.

 

I am not the GM, and glad I am not because I wouldn't want to have to make this decision, but say you end up with a top 3 or top 5 pick in the draft, who would you take if Enes is available as well as somebody like Barnes or Jones? McGee has developed more rapidly than anyone could have hoped for, but is clearly in the bottom half of the league as far as starting centers go. Coming off the bench however he would be in the top portion of the league as a backup center. So would you draft Kanter to be the guy and give you that formidable low post option aside from Blatche, or do you draft a 3 man and go small, quick, athletic with a lineup that would have Josh Howard (if re signed)/Jones/Barnes at the 3, Lewis at the 4, and Blatche at the 5, with the ability to go standard and have Lewis drop to 3, Blatche go back to the 4 and McGee at 5. I think drafting a talented wing would give them the flexibility to do more things with their rotation but it would cost them a starting 5 man. The biggest issue for them all season IMO has been lack of scorers, and depth. With guys like Hilton Armstrong, Cartier Martin and Alonzo Gee clocking big minutes, they need whatever will best help their depth situation. Drafting a Jones or Barnes (if available) would give you more flexibility but you would have to hope McGee continues to develop into your eventual true 5 man.

 

 

Again, just some more pointless speculation on my part (thanks NBA 2K association mode).

I agree, but its going to be another rough couple of years until then IMO. Obviously not as bad as this year because of all the injuries the Wizards have sustained. If they can add somebody like Enes, Jones, Barnes, Jones III in the draft though, then this is going to be a good young team going forward.

 

I am not the GM, and glad I am not because I wouldn't want to have to make this decision, but say you end up with a top 3 or top 5 pick in the draft, who would you take if Enes is available as well as somebody like Barnes or Jones? McGee has developed more rapidly than anyone could have hoped for, but is clearly in the bottom half of the league as far as starting centers go. Coming off the bench however he would be in the top portion of the league as a backup center. So would you draft Kanter to be the guy and give you that formidable low post option aside from Blatche, or do you draft a 3 man and go small, quick, athletic with a lineup that would have Josh Howard (if re signed)/Jones/Barnes at the 3, Lewis at the 4, and Blatche at the 5, with the ability to go standard and have Lewis drop to 3, Blatche go back to the 4 and McGee at 5. I think drafting a talented wing would give them the flexibility to do more things with their rotation but it would cost them a starting 5 man. The biggest issue for them all season IMO has been lack of scorers, and depth. With guys like Hilton Armstrong, Cartier Martin and Alonzo Gee clocking big minutes, they need whatever will best help their depth situation. Drafting a Jones or Barnes (if available) would give you more flexibility but you would have to hope McGee continues to develop into your eventual true 5 man.

 

 

Again, just some more pointless speculation on my part (thanks NBA 2K association mode).

 

If I'm the Wizards I want either Barnes or Jones, if they would play Jones at the 3. I would settle for Kanter, but I think they need more help on the wings and definitely could use a scorer.

If I'm the Wizards I want either Barnes or Jones, if they would play Jones at the 3. I would settle for Kanter, but I think they need more help on the wings and definitely could use a scorer.

 

I feel the same way. I think going smaller (play wise) would be a good fit for this team, I mean having Blatche at the five can really stretch the floor being he has range almost out to the three point line. Then you have Lewis who would be a stretch four playing on the wing, and Jones could give you that inside outside as well. Only question would be rebounding, which is kind of sad being Blatche is 6'11', and Lewis is 6'10'', and Jones 6'8''/6'9'', they are just not the physical inside post guys you are accustomed to seeing with guys who play the paint positions.

 

 

The flexibility this would give them would be great IMO, especially if they bring Howard back (depending on how he plays this year coming off the knee injury). They could still go normal with McGee at the 5, Blatche 4, and Lewis/Howard/Jones/Thornton at the 3, then could also play Howard/Jones/Thornton at the two if need be. Nick Young had 30 last night, and is a guy they need to hang on to IMO. He will eventually replace Hinrich starting at the two spot once his contract is up, unless they bring in someone better.

I like the deal for the Magic.

 

Would've rather they found a way to pull of the Lewis & VC for Arenas & Blatche deal, but this works too.

 

Arenas is a two guard anyways, so I think pairing him with Nelson and Turk will help the offense a lot.

 

I'd assume J Rich will be the 6th man, and they may even go small from time to time with a Nelson/Arenas/Rich/Turk/Howard lineup.

 

This team needed to do something to get the offense jump started, and guys like Arenas and Turk, who are scorers, should help tremendously IMO. The only worry I have is chemistry, which may take some time.

 

All in all, I'd say this deal propels them back into the race with the Celtics and Heat for the East title. JMO.

I like the deal for the Magic.

 

Would've rather they found a way to pull of the Lewis & VC for Arenas & Blatche deal, but this works too.

 

Arenas is a two guard anyways, so I think pairing him with Nelson and Turk will help the offense a lot.

 

I'd assume J Rich will be the 6th man, and they may even go small from time to time with a Nelson/Arenas/Rich/Turk/Howard lineup.

This team needed to do something to get the offense jump started, and guys like Arenas and Turk, who are scorers, should help tremendously IMO. The only worry I have is chemistry, which may take some time.

 

All in all, I'd say this deal propels them back into the race with the Celtics and Heat for the East title. JMO.

 

Early reports seem like Richardson will start at the 3, and Turkoglu will come off the bench. I agree with that, I think Richardson needs to be their leading scorer since Howard isn't great on the block, Turk is old, and Arenas is no where near what he used to be. JMO, but I think they should have given up Nelson and kept Pietrus, just for chemistry sake. I do think they have too many guys who have to have the ball alot to be effective.

 

I don't expect the Magic to be better than the Bulls now, and I think this move will be the beginning of the end for DHoward in Orlando.

I don't expect the Magic to be better than the Bulls now, and I think this move will be the beginning of the end for DHoward in Orlando.

 

We obviously disagree on that. I just can't see the Bulls staying healthy long enough to be a serious threat this year. The only way I could see the Magic, barring injuries, not being a top 3 seed in the East is if the Knicks are able to pull off the Melo trade this season. I think this deal actually makes Howard more dangerous for Orlando. I think Arenas will take a lot of pressure off Howard, and allow him to focus that much more on his defense and rebounding.

We obviously disagree on that. I just can't see the Bulls staying healthy long enough to be a serious threat this year. The only way I could see the Magic, barring injuries, not being a top 3 seed in the East is if the Knicks are able to pull off the Melo trade this season. I think this deal actually makes Howard more dangerous for Orlando. I think Arenas will take a lot of pressure off Howard, and allow him to focus that much more on his defense and rebounding.

 

I could see that. I just think this trade is going to end up being a huge failure. The Magic GM never does anything right when he makes trades or signs free agents.

 

I think Rose is head a shoulders above any wing on the floor for Orlando, and Boozer is better than any frontcourt player with the exception of obviously Howard. Noah when healthy is one of the few bigs that can guard Howard. And I expect the Bulls will make a trade for a wing player to boot.