Who is the right target in a trade?

[Devin 1L]

Maybe it would be easier if we talk about actual players and actual deals. Devin, what kind of deal do you see as a possibility? Then, after said deal, what is our rotation, both this year and next?

I'm not really one to brainstorm deals much.

I think I've made one trade proposal in all of my time here on RealGM.

I'm looking more at general idea rather than specific players.

As I said in my first post: "I think our most pressing need would be another big man." As opposed to a two guard, or a point guard, which plenty of other people think should be the right target.

I'm just looking at your rotations and see a lack of Cook, who I think is working hard and is coming along pretty nicely.

Honestly, he has been playing well, but I'd be lying if I said I expected him to continue at this rate.

Historically, I have perceived him to be a relatively lazy, out of shape, unmotivated player.

He's playing well at the moment, and some of my wildest in-game reactions have been as the result of a Brian Cook play, but I've really never been a fan of his game and I'm only a fan of his right now because he is playing for the Magic. As a Magic fan, I hope he keeps it up, I guess I just don't really expect him to.

[TheRevTy]

Interestingly, the same could be said for Hedo; that we can't expect him to keep this level of play up. Yet, he has. Maybe Cookie has some fire in him and he can keep it up. Boy, that'd be something.

That is one thing I like about Stan, he seems to know how to get the best from his payers. I don't think we can say that we have players who are generally under-performing. Perhaps players who are trying to adjust to new roles (Jameer as a passer, Shard as a PF) or players who go on cold streaks or simply aren't that good (Bogans on offense). I like Stan and think he is great at tapping the potential of players by demanding the best, but still giving them freedom.

[Devin 1L]

Interestingly, the same could be said for Hedo; that we can't expect him to keep this level of play up. Yet, he has. Maybe Cookie has some fire in him and he can keep it up. Boy, that'd be something.

As a matter of fact, that's something I've suggested.

Although, I would have expected a slight increase in production with the addition of Rashard who helps to defer defensive attention.

That is one thing I like about Stan, he seems to know how to get the best from his payers. I don't think we can say that we have players who are generally under-performing. Perhaps players who are trying to adjust to new roles (Jameer as a passer, Shard as a PF) or players who go on cold streaks or simply aren't that good (Bogans on offense). I like Stan and think he is great at tapping the potential of players by demanding the best, but still giving them freedom.

Yeah, I pretty much agree with all of that.

I've been nothing but happy with Stan.

[whocares]

1. if all else fails, trade hedo.

[drsd]

By trade, the best place to upgrade is the PF slot. The SG slot is more readily improved by the FA market. There is no real hope to upgrade the PF slot by this path.

[YABS63088]

Ron Artest is the answer

Orlando - Artest/2nd round pick

Sacramento - Garrity/Bogans/Redick

Artest gives a strong starting five and adds what Orlando needs the most and that is defense and Artest is avg. 18 points and 5 boards a game. We get rid of two expiring contracts and I like redick but he just doesnt fit for the Magic right now

Nelson/Arroyo/Dooling
Artest/Evans/Dooling
Turk/Lewis
Lewis/Cook/Battie(when he comes back)
Howard/Foyle

[spinedoc]

I'd like to upgrade the sg position the most, but if a good pf becomes available then you have to take a look at it. Haslem would be a better get than M. Miller, but not more than Artest, Maggette, or Vince for me. The problem however is that Haslem is a pipedream and there doesn't appear to be anyone else decent available at a reasonable price. CV doesn't excite me much, I'd rather have Battie starting. And I say Haslem is a pipedream, because there is no way that we pull off a trade with Riley for his starting pf, not without at least paying a major premium more than the next guy.

Filling the sg spot is the most easiest to do and the most cost effective. We don't get a decent pf upgrade for our expirings and extras without them having some serious baggage. We've already made our move with regard to pg, whether Jameer emerges as our starter or not, he's already got the nod. PF will be pretty solid next year with Battie healthy, Cook coming on, the possiblility of Fran coming over, and the development of Auggie and Gortat, not to mention Shard getting significant time there.

At sg, we have Evans and Dooling expiring with only Bogans and JJ on the roster. I'd like to resign Evans, but he's still not starting material. Sure we can address it in the offseason with our mle, but why not get our fixture at the position now with the assets we currently have before they expire. My order would go something like Artest, Maggette, Vince, and M. Miller. Although, I am really liking the Miller rumors lately. He's an even keel guy that would be a nice fit for us, pricey, but nice.

[jamlando]

Our pressing need is PG & PF. Getting Haslem would definitely help Dwight. You talk about a log jam. I don't see it being a problem. Based on the guys you mentioned. Let's exam each one.

Augustine - Probably won't crack the Magic's lineup or any NBA team.

Fran - If he does finally decide to come over, who's to say he's going to be any good. It takes most foreign players a couple years to develop, especially big guys.

Gortat - see Augustine. IMO he's only on the roster because of Battie's injury.

Battie - getting older & watching him play last season, doesn't have much left in the tank & really should be playing limited minutes.

Cook - is young but he's not a banger nor is he a rebounder.

Haslem & Battie would give Dwight some much needed rebounding & defensive help & provide the team with great veteran leadership. Haslem is younger & has has championship experience.

How can you go wrong with a front court of Howard/Haslem/Battie/Foyle/Cook/Vazquez (?). I just don't see Auggie or Gortat with a future on this team.

[Catledge]

I agree with Rev that SG is the position we are best off trying to improve via trade, but not for any of the reasons he lists. I have no confidence at all that Gortat, Augustine, or Fran can ever be legit NBA players, and it's certainly possible that none of the three will be on our roster next year. Neither do I have any confidence that we would even start a healthy Battie over Lewis, considering that Battie's 5.2 rpg last season is exactly the same as Lewis' 5.2 rpg this season and Tony was invisible in the playoffs.

As hard as playing out of position has been on Lewis, his 18.5 ppg is far better than what we would get out of Battie, who averaged 6.1 and was consistently left open by players leaving to double up on Dwight. Battie would have to be one of the best defenders in the NBA to make up for how he would hurt us offensively.

And since it's very unlikely that we could get a Pau Gasol-like PF, who could score and punish teams for doubling Dwight, I'd much rather improve the SG position with a legit NBA starter. I would love Maggette, but I'll take Mike Miller. I'd even jump at a chance to improve the PG spot with Andre Miller before I pulled the trigger on a deal for a mediocre PF.

[lovehoops01]

Watching last night's game, I'd say we need a PG who can go more than 2 minutes without committing a turnover.

The combined turnovers by the Magic point guards on Friday were three.

The combined turnovers by the Magic point guards on Saturday were three.

I think they went a lot more than 2 minutes without making a turnover. There were a couple that weren't very well-timed, but they didn't have many.

[lovehoops01]

haslem. miller

Ha! Ha! Are you a Gator?

[Max Power]

I think our most pressing need is a big guy, and not necessarily a starter. Dwight needs a guy who's willing to do the dirty stuff in the paint, so he doesn't get all that responsibility. We have Adonal, and he's been ok, I'm happy with him, but maybe a younger guy who creates havoc with his energy and effort.

PG could be upgraded too, I like Nelson and Dooling, but Arroyo is painful to watch sometimes. We need someone more stable, whether a reserve or new starter.

Ultimately, I am in favor of smaller deals to address needs rather than going for Mike/Andre Miller. I am not a fan of Mike Miller at all and hope Otis stays the hell away from him. I could handle Andre Miller if Arroyo was sent packing.

We're a good team, and I'd be content with no trades, but we still have some things that could be addressed.