“Banner Day” is the title of ESPN.com’s coverage of the Magic acquiring Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkgolu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark. What should the title be? ”Phoenix Redeems Marion for Shaq trade”. Let’s break it down:
Phoenix needs size and to cut salary.
Orlando needs front court depth, and a pass first point guard.
Washington needs another spot up shooter and size.
What did each team get?
Phoenix:
- Replaced their slashing athletic scorer for another slightly older athletic slashing scorer (JRich for VC)
- Got a decent center who can grab rebounds and guard Gasol or Bynum (Gortat)
- Got another perimeter defender who can shoot the 3 ball and help guard Kobe (Pietrus)
- Turned a big contract into a big expiring contract (JRich for VC)
- Got a first round draft pick
- Cut this years salary by dumping Hedo Turkgolu
- Dumped Hedo Turkgolu
Washington:
Got rid of their ball hog point guard and replaced him with a big that can shoot and create his own shot if need be.
Orlando:
- Got worse on defense
- Got rid of their only guy who can stay in front of Lebron (Pietrus)
- Got rid of best backup center in NBA (Sorry Joel Pryzbilla)
- Added another shoot first pass never point guard
- Added Jason Richardson, who will never get passed to since Agent 0 and Jameer Nelson will be too busy taking bad shots.
- “Added” Hedo Turkgolu.
Otis Smith should immediately be fired.