I’m over here applauding while many Magic fans are beginning to count the days until they feel the Magic will be primetime contenders again. By trading Dwight Howard to the Lakers, the Magic have singlehandedly turned the spotlight from the Miami Heat and LeBron James to the Lakers and Howard/Nash/Bryant. You may be saying, “But Lauren, the Lakers winning every year wasn’t so long ago!” and you’re right, but the Dwight Howard trade dials the NBA back to years where the teams that aren’t the top 5 in the league will have interesting competition.
In a 4 team trade, the Magic sent Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, and Earl Clark to the Lakers. Jason Richardson and the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum have been shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic received Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and rookie Moe Harkless, three first-round picks and two second-round picks. The Magic will receive protected first-round picks from Denver (or New York) in 2014, Philadelphia in ‘15 and Los Angeles in ’17. The whole world is harping on the loss of Howard as placing the Magic in the dregs of the league, but trading Dwight Howard for Jack Nicholson in the stands would have been preferable to seeing Howard start training camp with a flippant attitude.
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While Howard does his best Shaq impression in LA, the Magic are dealing in younger blood with break out potential. Aaron Afflalo is one of the most underrated guards in the league. With 15.2 ppg under his belt in the ’11-’12 season and a 40% career 3 point average, placing PG Jameer Nelson on the court with Afflalo could revitalize the 3 point Magic culture after the loss of Ryan Anderson earlier in the year. Now with the need of a big man, the Magic could choose to work out their draft pick Andrew Nicholson at one of the Forward positions, or choose to start Al Harrington at Forward and allow Nicholson to develop. Both players know their way around the paint, but Harrington sports a 15 ppg average after last season where Nicholson will be adjusting to the pros. Teaming either man up with Hedo Turkoglu will relieve Turk from having to push and shove for every possession down low and mid range without Dwight Howard.
The most interesting decision the Magic will make is regarding their remaining core lineup. Glen “Big Baby” Davis will most likely shift to full time Center. JJ Redick might find himself serving more 6th man time with Aaron Afflalo on the floor. I have been hoping the Magic would start Redick for the last year and a half, but Redick will have to go to work to earn this spot in training camp instead of plain seniority.
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Without Dwight Howard, the Magic will be a more positive, basketball-focused team. One or two years are required for the Magic to set a new dynamic in place after a change in GM, head coach, and star player, but the pieces given to Orlando are constructive, solid starting points.
If the Lakers are destined to win a couple more championships, let them. The Magic have forced the Lakers and the Heat to prove they can manage their ego laden teams or fold their cards for a new hand in the coming years. Oklahoma City cannot be forgotten about in the West, as they have already used Laker pieces such as Derek Fisher to nearly steal the trophy. In the East, the Brooklyn Nets remain underwhelming despite a venue change. The Celtics have done little to bring in younger talent to keep Rajon Rondo interested. The New York Knicks took back some of their mid-season disaster trade with resigning Raymond Felton and acquiring Jason Kidd but whether or not the Knicks can resolve the lack of team environment remains to be seen.
With their almost brand new line up, the Magic have poised themselves in perfect position for when the East crumbles and the West finally rises past Los Angeles bandwagoning.
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