Trade 1: Defense for Offense
In a matter of hours, the Orlando Magic managed to almost completely change their roster. In their 1st trade, the Magic sent guard Vince Carter, guard/forward Mickael Pietrus, center Marcin Gortat, a 2011 1st round pick, and cash considerations to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for forward Hedo Turkoglu, guard Jason Richardson, and forward Earl Clark.
It seems that the Magic got the best of this deal. Let’s start with Turkoglu, who helped lead the Magic to a finals appearance in 2009. Ever since Turkoglu left Orlando for Toronto during free agency, neither party has been the same. Turkoglu couldn’t find his stride in Canada, where his level of play was nowhere near the 5 year/$53 million deal the team signed him for, which is why they subsequently traded him to the desert where he still