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IMO, they don't feel like they can do much with AJ and TLue. Surprised to hear that, but not sure I would have taken Alston for a quick fix. Apparently, Houston gave up on him for this season.

I know it is unlikely, but if the Magic can't resolve the PG slot, the Hawks have an outside chance to get after that 3rd slot.

We are at 7.5 right now with 28 to play. We just need to be 8 games better than Orlando down the stretch and of course lose and win on the correct nights.

Hard to imagine moving up with nail-biter win over Sacramento and the drubbing by LA. If we survive this west coast trip and still are within striking range then I'll reconsider, but right now just hoping that we can hold 4th place down.

Moving the first round pick was a good decision. Rafer Alston will make just over 5 million next season and Orlando won't have to worry about paying a late first round picks guarantee contract. Good for Orlando, bad for us.

i think it's gonna work out for the magic.watch out for the howard-alston pick and rolls.We have a good enough team to get that 3rd spot but i don't think it's gonna happen.we're way too inconsistent

There is little downside for the Magic considering how they've looked without Nelson, but there will be an adjustment to Alston that could take a while on the offensive end.

I really disagree with just about all of Otis Smith's moves. IIRC correctly he actually offered their 1st last year so Kurt Thomas could fill the "void" at backup center. That move would have also been pretty meaningless in hindsight.

This move will help them this regular season but it still looks like a panic move after Nelson got hurt. I don't think Orlando had to worry about losing the 3rd seed and I don't think they have a realistic chance at a title this year either. Late 1st round picks aren't valued much in this league but wouldn't it make more sense to cut Houston out and just take Lowry(who is 10 years younger than Alston)instead? I just think we will look back and say Orlando gotten horrible value in the draft 4 out of the last 5 years. The Darko trade and Fran Vazquez picks turned out to be awful...Redick is still 3rd string in his 3rd year....and I also believe that this move will be looked at as pointless down the line(like Miami trading for Ricky Davis).

Orlando has worked to put shooters around Howard- Lowry would be a terrible fit there.

That pick is going to be 25th or so- if this trade lets them win an extra round of the playoffs thats easily worth it in my book. Just from a season ticket perspective I'd think its a no-brainer.

The way the Magic were performing with Johnson/Lue, there was a definite chance they might not even get out of the first round. Now, they have an outside shot at the ECF.

And, assuming Alston is still here next season, the Magic now have him as Nelson's back-up, instead of Anthony Johnson. It was a pretty good move, considering the situation and the pieces given up.