RealGM

I really like Craig Smith, and his quickness at that size is unreal. Smith was considered a top ten rookie last year, and his numbers this year were about the same. Some wolves brass think that Foye's injury kept Smith from advancing, but the reality to me is that Al Jefferson is a huge roadblock for him. I wouldn't mind if he came back for a reasonable price, but I suspect that if push came to shove, some other team would outbid us since they can get more out of him.

I've been looking for a good home for him, and I think Orlando might be a pretty good fit. Right now, they play Rashard Lewis at PF a lot, and in my opinion, he's too small (and way too expensive) to risk having him bang away after boards for major minutes. Foyle didn't help, and Gortat was too raw. I'd consider offering a deal like:

ORL GIVES: Foyle + Gortat + #22

MIN GIVES: Craig Smith ($2.57 mil S&T)

Financially, Foyle makes $1,262,275 next season, and Gortat has an unguaranteed second year at $711,517. This means that Smith's sign-and-trade would start at a max of $2,567,240. That seems reasonable to me, and something Smith might accept to be able to play on a contender in Orlando, next to the young Dwight Howard, and in a big role.

I like what Smith could provide for the height-starved Magic. He can bang away, and provide a low post scorer. He would pair well alongside Battie, and Dwight Howard. Financially, the Magic use some of their salary on a more productive player than on the #22 and Foyle, which could help them contend. They maintain their MLE, which they could use to sign more size (Diop?). And deep down, do they expect to find a better player that can help them now than Craig Smith with the #22 pick?

For the Wolves, they get a late first for Smith, and at #22, I think there might still be a decent project big man available. It costs them a little salary rather than losing him in a sign-and-trade, but I think MIN can afford it (Foyle's deal is only one year, and he plays center). I wouldn't mind keeping Smith at $2.56 mil, but I think its better for the wolves, and especially for Smith's career, to let him go someplace where he can have a bigger impact.

It makes sense for Orlando to have a banger off the bench since Hedo and Rashard are jump shooters/finesse guys.

I like the trade but I have a hard time believing Orlando would do it.

I say yes, especially because I really like Gortat. I think Orlando says no though. For one, they could just try and sign Smith, and its doubtful that the Wolves would match. For two, they could probably draft an equivalent player at 22 in Hendrix if they wanted too, or they could try to upgrade their 3 guard position, which by all accounts is what I expect them to do- Lee or CDR perhaps?

For three, I know wolves posters really want a late first rounder, but I don't think Wolves management is in line with that thinking unless it means trading up by using one or both of our second rounders.

Never would happen. Orlando needs a good starting SG more than anything. Plus, they could probably grab Robin Lopez, John Riek, or Roy Hibbert with that pick. I really don't think Smith is that good. He is pretty small, has no perimeter game, and he doesn't pass.

it is a good thought, but as mentioned before, Orlando could just sign him at that price

My thinking is that they use cash they already have applied elsewhere, and save their MLE to address the SG problem. Picking up some prospect from the draft may not be as appealing as getting a player that can prove he can play against NBA competition on Day One. Gortat's, a #57 pick, has been in the league three years, and had a whopping 16 RB and 18 PTS .. for the season. Finally, I don't think they can expect to get a better player with the 22nd pick -- probably a 50/50 chance of a guy who never does anything in the nba. Here's the previous 20 years of #22's.

1988 1.22 Cavaliers Randolph Keys 6'7 195 Southern Mississippi 1966-04-19
1989 1.22 Trailblazers Byron Irvin 6'5 190 Missouri 1966-12-02
1990 1.22 Nets Tate George 6'5 190 Connecticut 1968-05-29
1991 1.22 Clippers LeRon Ellis 6'9 225 Syracuse 1969-04-28
1992 1.22 Suns Oliver Miller 6'9 280 Arkansas 1970-04-06
1993 1.22 Cavaliers Chris Mills 6'6 215 Arizona 1970-01-25
1994 1.22 Spurs Bill Curley 6'9 220 Boston College 1972-05-29
1995 1.22 Hornets George Zidek 7'0 250 UCLA 1973-08-02
1996 1.22 Grizzlies Roy Rogers 6'10 235 Alabama 1973-08-19
1997 1.22 Hawks Ed Gray 6'3 210 California 1975-09-27
1998 1.22 Clippers Brian Skinner 6'9 255 Baylor 1976-05-19
1999 1.22 Rockets Kenny Thomas 6'7 261 New Mexico 1977-07-25
2000 1.22 Mavericks Donnell Harvey 6'8 216 Florida 1980-08-26
2001 1.22 Magic Jeryl Sasser 6'6 200 SMU 1979-02-13
2002 1.22 Suns Casey Jacobsen 6'6 215 Stanford 1981-03-19
2003 1.22 Nets Zoran Planinic 6'7 195 1982-09-12
2004 1.22 Nets Viktor Khryapa
2005 1.22 Nuggets Jarrett Jack
2006 1.22 Nets Marcus Williams 6'3 215 Connecticut 1985-12-03
2007 1.22 Bobcats Jared Dudley 6'7 219 Boston College 1985-07-11

I'm pretty sure the wolves would match most prices, I doubt any team is going to break the bank to sign this type of player. Any resonable offer they put out the wolves would match. From a financial standpoint shrinks trade makes the most sense for the Magic. They dont need to use their MLE or add even more salary and get a productive player.

Using their MLE on him is a bad idea imo, offering him more money than the wolves are willing to match is also a bad idea. I'm also not sure that the magic could draft a similar player in this years draft. Undersized as he may be, he's a pretty effective scorer and rebounder. They may be better off going for R Lopez or some other guy to take up space and D up though.

I think they pass...

However I think a similar smith + jaric for battie + x could serve both sides.

It's kind of funny. In my NBA 2K8 franchise Craigers is on the Magic. He fits that team like a glove over there. He just blew up in Orlando. He's averaging like 16 points and 8 rebounds. Every time I play him he's a pain in the ass.

Gosh... that is a very disappointing set of picks shrink.

I think Smith would be a good "fit" for the Magic considering no one else besides Howard rebounds at a high rate but I can see them being interested in a player like Jason Thompson, a big that can rebound and shoot from the outside.

Anyways I don't really see the point of adding another late round pick to this team. Who do you have in mind for the 22nd pick? Lopez? Thompson? The skinny French guy?

I think Washington might also be interested in trading their pick for a legit tuff guy(Smith S/T) at the power forward/ center position. You might have to give up someone like McCants or Telfair with a 2nd rounder and perhaps get back someone like Daniels would I think would be ideal to pair up with Foye. They would be interested in shedding some salary with a sign and trade with Smith . they could the the absolute min amount to take back while getting a need( a big) and having a bit more cap space to sign Arenas and Jamsion.

If we could move Craig and grab Hibbert you will have a very happy rev.