In a blockbuster deal Saturday, the Orlando Magic acquired Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Early Clark from Phoenix in exchange for Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat and a 2011 first round pick. The team then sent Rashard Lewis to Washington for Gilbert Arenas.
Get all that?
The deals have not officially been announced by the Magic, but Every outlet from ESPN, who was first with the story, to the Orlando Sentinel all say this is a done deal. Further confirmation comes from Rashard Lewis who tweeted he was off to Washington: “Yo boy off to DC it was fun playing in Orlando had a great time trying to win it all got close but not close enough but it’s been real.”
Orlando officially announced the acquisition of Gilbert Arenas from Washington for Rashard Lewis. The Magic also officially acquired Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark from the Suns for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus along with a 2011 first round pick.
“Gilbert (Arenas) is a proven All-Star in this league and we’re excited to add him to our team,” Smith said. “He is one of the top scoring guards in the game, he can create scoring chances for his teammates and he is as tough as they come. Rashard (Lewis) was important in helping our franchise get to the next level, and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
Arenas is averaging 17.3 points per game and 5.6 assists per game this season. However he is shooting only 39.4 percent from the floor and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc.
“We’re very excited to welcome these three players to our family,” Smith said. “Jason (Richardson) is a tremendous athlete who runs the floor, can shoot the ball and loves to compete. We’re obviously familiar with Hedo (Turkoglu). He is a great shooter and is a player that has flourished in our system. We liked Earl (Clark) in the draft a few years ago, and he will help fortify our frontcourt. Vince (Carter), Marcin (Gortat) and Mickael (Pietrus) did a lot for our organization and we wish them great success in the future.”
Richardson is leading the Suns with 19.3 points per game and 1.08 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the field. Turkoglu is scoring only 9.5 points per game.
Still digesting what to think about these deals. Every player acquired, aside from promising second-year player Earl Clark, could certainly help this team. Richardson is known as a solid defender, great shooter and explosive finisher. We know what we get in Turkoglu, and even if he can’t duplicate what he did in the first sting with Orlando, you imagine he must be happy and some level of confidence is returning to him. Gilbert Arenas is a fantastic scorer, but it will be interesting to see what else he can give this team.
Losing Gortat hurts most as Orlando really does not have a backup center right now. Brandon Bass and Malik Allen are really the only guys ready to play … unless Adonal Foyle decides to suit up.
The team is being pieced together and re-pieced together and this is going to be a major work in progress.
“I think as far as how we’re going to work them in, it’s going to be a little bit of a challenge right now,” Stan Van Gundy said. “Obviously being right in the middle of things where we’re not in a break where we get a lot of practice time. Those guys will probably play two games before they even have a practice with us. They will probably play two games before they even have a practice with us.”
I will have more once I get to Amway Center later tonight and have more thoughts about the deal after the game. Keep it tuned right here throughout the night.
