Washburn: Orlando Magic, in Need of Backup Center, Could Receive Boris Diaw Offer from Charlotte Bobcats
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 27, 2010 11:26 AM EST
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Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe advises his readers to "look for" the possibility the Charlotte Bobcats, looking to trim salary, to offer veteran big man Boris Diaw to the Orlando Magic for newly acquired swingman Jason Richardson. The Magic famously need size after trading prized backup center Marcin Gortat to the Phoenix Suns in the deal that brought Richardson to Orlando, while Charlotte could use Richardson's $14.4 million expiring contract, as well as his scoring, to improve its standing in the ledger and on the scoreboard.
Washburn isn't alone. Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated also expects the Bobcats to try to unload Diaw, and names the Magic as a potential suitor due to their need for size and ability to dangle Richardson, a former Bobcat whom they acquired from Phoenix, oddly enough, in a deal involving Richardson.
The versatile Diaw won the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year Award during the 2005.06 season, his breakout campaign with Phoenix, in which he averaged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. This season, he's posting 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for a 9-19 Charlotte team in upheaval following the resignation of head coach Larry Brown and dismissal of his coaching staff.
Without Gortat, the Magic have made due by using power forward Brandon Bass, a starter, as Dwight Howard's backup so far. Malik Allen could also see rotation minutes there once he recovers from a sprained left ankle, which has rendered him unavailable for each of the Magic's last three games.
Otis Smith, Orlando's President of Basketball Operations, told the Orlando Sentinel this weekend adding a big man is "not high on my priority list right now." By his own admission, he will need one for the playoffs, however.
Even in light of Orlando's deficiency up front, it's hard to imagine them dealing Richardson for a big man of Diaw's caliber.
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I rather would use the Gortat or Rashard trade exceptions to get a cheap big man and avoid Diaw altogether
Diaw has really only had one good season that he managed to parlay into this current contract.
Proudly mocking the Disciples of Panic (some Magic fans) since October 29, 2010.
Plus a partial Rashard one at about 1.8 million
I had no idea about the trade exceptions until I checked out the ESPN trade machine on something. I was pleasantly surprised.
Proudly mocking the Disciples of Panic (some Magic fans) since October 29, 2010.
by funny80sguy on Dec 27, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Plus, it says "Rashard Lewis Trade Exception" next to the amount
Proudly mocking the Disciples of Panic (some Magic fans) since October 29, 2010.
Did they actually get an exception for Rashard?
Arenas’ contract was enough to cover Lewis’ deal.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 27, 2010 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Not annually. Just overall.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
The Wizards were actually under the cap so they were able to absorb the additional 1.8 million dollars that Rashard is making over Arenas this year
That in turn gave Magic the 1.8 million exception.
Proudly mocking the Disciples of Panic (some Magic fans) since October 29, 2010.
naw...Cant do it..
Richardson is that guy that will go grab that rebound and sprint down the court for the thunderous dunk…that will send the crowd into a frenzy and ignite the team for an improbable comeback…
Boris Diaw….ehh..not so much…
"He is fast, but what I like about him is he looks like one of those track guys that actually knows how to run the ball and has good vision and patience. He is not just running at top speed. He knows when to use his speed, and he has some power and toughness, too.'' Barry Sanders about CJ2K
Dwight Howard >The Justice League of America
by Bonafidebrother on Dec 27, 2010 11:36 AM EST reply actions
I don't get this. Those trades were about offense, what is the point of giving up J-Rich ?
On the other hand, I’d prefer a back up with some experience than a really young guy at this point. But getting a “solid” big man won’t be an easy task.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Diaw is only 6'8" and not really a center.
I don’t see that being an answer to the Magic needs.
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Dec 27, 2010 11:37 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
This 1,000,000x's!!!
I don’t see this trade helping us at all..Boris is overweight, slow and short to help at the backup center position…
This 100,000,000x's!!
No! NO! NO! and heck NO!!
Don't get a PF just for the sake of getting one
Diaw is short, not physical and soft. Get someone with heart and a mean streak. Has anyone ever seen him banging down low? That’s what we’re going to need with Boston.
Exactly we dont need another jump shooting PF
that Boston Globe guy is a moron.
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 27, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
I see the logic…but I highly doubt Otis would ship out J-Rich. If the Magic get a backup big, it will cost them Duhon, Q, or J-Will.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
Hey, with Hedo back and VC out, this must ‘ve been a good Christmas for you.
J-Will isn’t a piece anymore, so they’ll probably have to keep Ducon.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Oh man…what a glorious holiday season it has been for me as a Magic fan! The J-Will thing is a ruse. He’s trying to get playing time and the Magic have none to offer yet he doesn’t want to be moved. This whole knee thing is his way of potentially failing a physical to make him unattractive. J-Will…the guy cracks me up.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
If we get a center, maybe he should be taller than Brandon Bass
I hope the Magic got some name tags in one of these trades
Set aside all negatives of Diaw, it's not a good trade from a financial standpoint.
Diaw makes $9M this year – and next – compared to J-Rich’s expiring year of $14.5M. In trading Vince’s expiring contract we got J-Rich’s expiring contract in return. We should be able to do a lot better with J-Rich’s contract, if we are forced to trade him.
Additionally, I cannot see how we could find enough assets for this trade. Duhon and Q-Rich’s salaries put together is just a bid above half of what is required for matching up Diaw’s $9M salary.
Duhon + QRich = ~$7.78M back in a trade.
Adding JWill only gets to$ 8.99M so somebody else would have to be thrown in for that to work.
But that’s moot, b/c Charlotte wants expiring contract(s)
"...sometimes your eyes lie to you..." ~SVG | I'm on Twitter
by magicfaninTN on Dec 27, 2010 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
If Charlotte really wants rid of Diaw they only need $7.25 mil in return to satisfy the 25% rule.
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Dec 27, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
- 1.25% + 100K.
"...sometimes your eyes lie to you..." ~SVG | I'm on Twitter
by magicfaninTN on Dec 28, 2010 3:28 AM EST up reply actions
Whatever happened to getting Battie back?
"Evan!
Unban me from the OPP!"...........David Polega
by AB's triple double on Dec 27, 2010 12:18 PM EST reply actions
The "Yes, but not Richardson" votes don't reflect the comments.
Who’s voting then?
"...sometimes your eyes lie to you..." ~SVG | I'm on Twitter
People who want the Magic to be run like a fantasy team?
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
this
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 27, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Me?
I like Boris. I would never trade J. Richardson for him, of course, especially not at this point in time, BUT if Magic can somehow make this work, I don’t see a single reason why would anyone dislike a prospect of having such a versatile backup. I know that his salary is a problem, but note I said “IF Magic can somehow make this work.”
Diaw is not the kind of big we need.
We need a back-up center who plays D and doesn’t need many touches on offense, in my opinion. With Arenas, Redick, and Anderson, and Q-Rich coming off the bench, we have enough offense. It would be a bonus if whatever big we get can finish as a roll-man, or at least finish a pick-and-pop play, but not necessary.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Otis, I already had to trick myself to like your last trades.
Don’t make me do it again
Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson are special in their own ways. OK?
After reading this article all I can see is...
Cleveland in his bathtub sliding down from the 2nd floor yelling “No! No! No! No! No!”
by Memphissleek on Dec 27, 2010 12:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Do not do it for RICHARDSON!! We can get a big, but not for Richardson. I think we need to send Duhon and Q. Richardson for a decent big man. We just need someone that can come in and rebound and block some shots.
I don't know why everyone is so quick to give up Q.
Q is the only true reserve SF the Magic have. He’s the best perimeter defender the Magic have. Having to depend on your starting SG to play backup SF (what J-Rich would be forced to do) is just as bad as depending on your starting PF to play backup C (as Bass is doing right now).
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Dec 27, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
At least he's making half the money Duhon is.
And he’ll have a bigger role on the team as we move on, I believe.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Earl Clark
Played better than Q in about 15 minutes of Magic basketball. Will he make mistakes? Yes. Can you trust him in the playoffs? I have no idea. But I want to develop the young talent on this roster. I would rather give any light minutes to Clark over Q.
I couldn't agree more^
And I really don’t understand why everyone keep emphasizing Q. Richardson’s defense, to begin with, when in reality, he is hardly above average defender. His contract proves that. His minutes proves that. And let’s face it, aside from that one season with Suns, a long, long time ago, he made no impact whatsoever on any team he played for.
Teams are going to float out garbage proposals now that they know we're desperate.
No way Otis does J-Rich for Diaw. That’s robbery. But now every GM knows we need a big so bad trade rumors are going to keep popping up with Orlando as the target.
Why didn’t Otis grab a big in that blockbuster trade?
by Hoop Dreams on Dec 27, 2010 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
I have no way to answer that question.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Who could he have grabbed?
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Dec 27, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Hilton Armstrong or Hamady Ndiaye. Maybe both....
Kidding, but the Magic did the Wizards a HUGE favor by taking Gil. I don’t know if it can be overstated how big of a favor that was for Gil and for the Wiz. Lewis makes more than Gil, so another cheap player could have been included in the deal.
Ndiaye is a guy who could end up being a nice throw in as a 10 minute backup.
Battie or someone in the mold of Dampier would be nice
Just someone who isnt expected to play much offense and will cover up defense whenever Dwight is out. Diaw = none of the above
Magic Fan since '92
this is just media speculation.
otis would not trade j rich for diaw.he knows what we need and diaw is not what we need.
No Diaw. Johan Petro, Jamaal Magloire, Kwame Brown, Josh Boone.... I would be surprised if we can do much better than that.
We’re going to have some trouble getting anyone better than replacement level, especially with Otis basically sending out the S.O.S. that we need another big. It’s cute of him to say a back up big is not a high priority right now, but there’s no way anyone is going to buy that bluff.
The buzzword around the league this year is “size.” Last year it was “length.” Every team is trying to match up with the “size” of L.A. and Boston. Nobody is going to give up quality size for what we have to offer.
I wish I could trust Otis to not make this trade.
Otis Smith, what you've just done is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard of. At no point in your rambling, incoherent trades were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this blog is now dumber for having witnessed it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
by MoveThoseChains on Dec 27, 2010 1:30 PM EST reply actions
If...
this trade happens…I will personally volunteer to drive the “bash otis” bus….this wouldn’t be a gamble….it would just be plain dumb..
Orlando Native(By way of Parramore)
Remeber that it was Charlotte who floated this story, not Orlando
Which means that … it means nothing.
I don't see where we benefit from this
We need a legit Center, not a crappy Turkoglu wanna-be.
by Ol' Uncle Munnerlyn on Dec 27, 2010 4:27 PM EST reply actions
Hoopshype is reporting that JJ is on the market
While Houston is floating Yao…Now there’s a big man for ya. For Orlando, he could be like a 7-foot Grant Hill: loads of talent, never able to play.
Houston is gonna have to negotiate a buyout
Yao is done and should retire. The problem is he wont because all the money that’s still left on the table. The Grant Hill analogy was pretty much spot on. Too bad for them
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 27, 2010 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
Oh really I miss read his contract as a player option
thanks for the assist. Houston is fooling itself if they think they can move that contract for something of value
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 27, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
its just a crazy expiring, which would probably serve them better as just that
the days of getting lots of draft picks for big expiring contracts are over
I saw this article on hoopshype yesterday, and it's a joke.
There’s no way this trade makes sense for us at all! Diaw is 6’8 and soft. He’s definitely not what we’re looking for in a backup center. Then consider that he’d come at the expense of Jrich, and this is even more of a joke.
It’s just some Boston writer blowing smoke.
Yeah, I like him, and I'm a little surprised the view in these here comments is so negative.
But I agree: Richardson could fetch a far higher return in a trade, and I’m sure he’s more valuable to the Magic as a player than as a trade chip.
Important note.
Washburn’s report said the Bobcats will likely offer Diaw to the Magic. It didn’t say anything about Orlando actually being interested in such a trade.
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