Draft Day Deals: Shaq to the Cavs, $21 million. Clearing up your point guard controversy, dumping an aging center and not giving up any core players in return, priceless. The Magic acquired Vince Carter this afternoon for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee. I hate to see Lee go, but let's face that facts here people. The Magic needed to get rid of Alston or Jameer, check. The Magic needed to clear up their big man rotation and dump Battie's $6.2 million contract, check. The Magic would have to give up an asset in order to dump those players and pick up Carter. The goal here is to not give up a core player. Lee is not a core player - at least not at this point in his career. The move also allows the Magic to go into the luxury tax to resign Gortat and Hedo.
I wanted Carter 2 summers ago when we got Rashard Lewis. I thought he would have fit better into the system at the time. Granted he's 2 years older now - but he still put up 20 points per game last year and he's always a threat for more. Did the Cavs get better with the Shaq trade? Time will tell. Did the Magic get better with the Carter trade? Absolutely. IF Hedo resigns, your starting five can all score 20 at any given time. You still have the defensive player of the year, a sixth man that plays great defense. Now, really - we just need a decent defensive minded point guard to give us good stretches of rest for Jameer and this team will be much improved over last year.
Remember, come playoff time - you might only play 7 or 8 guys. And out top 8 will be vastly improved over last year. One last task Otis, get me a decent backup PG (not that Johnson isn't, but I just don't think he's the right one).
I love these moves by the Magic.............Go CAVS!!....The way Lee, Hedo and Alston played against us in the finals, I am glad to see them gone. As far as Vince is concerned, nice move but he has never been much against us. Now Hedo is gone with Gortat close behind. Great moves, Magic.