Berger: Trade Rumor Linking Josh Smith, Orlando Magic "Totally Legit"

Magic get rid of GIl’s contract, pick up smith, and then Marvin can fill in at SF for Hedo after Hedo is amnesty’d out of here.

Hawks get rid of Smith and Marvin’s contract, pick up Ryan in the process, and then amnesty Gil, saving money on all accounts and getting a young PF.

Win-Win if you ask me.

Teams do want Anderson, Bass, and Reddick, but is Otis creative enough to send them out for an upgrade?

Otis could get philly involved, because Atlanta hates Joe Johnson’s contract, and Iggy is a dead end in philly. A possible, but HIGHLY Unlikely trade could leave all three teams with a good deal (ATL getting the best end IMO, but all teams getting upgradable value)

ATL gives up Smooth to Orlando with Jeff Teague, and then sends Joe Johnson to Philly, Orlando gives Ryno to ATL and ships Jameer to Philly, Philly sends Iggy to ATL and includes another player in the deal to cut some cost (lou williams, andres nocioni)

I agree that getting Josh would be a huge stretch, but if Atlanta is really that fed up with him, and Philly with Iggy, this just might be a possibility.

I think it’s pretty fair for everyone, Philly doesn’t really get the

If Hawks are slashing salary and are calculating that there will be an amnesty clause in the new CBA, then moving Joe Johnson could be part of the scenario being discussed.
The trade Johnson and use amnesty clause on Marvin Williams since the clause doesn’t relieve team of actually paying the salary.

Hedo and JJ Redick for Joe Johnson saves them around $90M.

Bass/Nelson/JJ/Hedo for Joe Johnson/Josh Smith

That would be a ridiculous amount for the Magic t o eat – but would it save the franchise from losing Dwight.

is Arenas / Johnson / Q / Smith / Howard a championship team?

…The acquisition of Josh Smith is very improbable at this point. Why would the Hawks wanna make any deal to potentially improve a division rival it is currently better than?

for the sake of discussion. Obviously the money exchange is crazy but really shedding Joe Johnson’s contract is the only reason ATL trades to a division rival. Plus it is the one thing the Magic have that other teams won’t do, mainly because its do or die for the Magic.

The Hawks aren’t going to beat the Heat with the team they have so division rival or not the Magic are right now merely the speed bump before the Hawks real challenge if their ultimate goal is championship.

On the other hand, Johnson/Smith on the Magic make a very formidable trio when combined with Dwight Howard:

- Dwight Howard and Josh Smith would be one of if not the best defensive combinations in NBA. – great potential to neutralize the Heat’s offense
- Joe Johnson (the player not the contract) is still a top 10 SG in the NBA with great passing/playmaking abilities (3.1 PPR) and a very capable defender that gets his 18- 20 ppg from a versatile offensive game at the rim and from the perimeter. At 30, he has maybe 2 years left of similar production, after that he will be much less effective but really with Smith’s contract being for 3 years this team’s (as proposed by trade) championship window is really only 2-3 years anyhow.
- A backcourt of 6’4 Arenas + 6’7 Johnson both of whom are good passers (and at least one is currently an above average scorer) would be very hard to defend and that’s before adding Smith/Howard into the equation

your right – this is fantasy….Dwight is gone, might as well get used to the fact that the next half decade as a Magic fan is gonna be getting excited about the small things – like a hard fought road loss to playoff team…fun times ahead

why would a team that already leads the league in threes attempted and dubious recent trade history seriously consider lifting a rival’s burden of a player who makes the home audience moan loudly enough to be heard on TV when he rises up beyond 18 feet?

Marvin Williams for the TPE
then Turk, Bass for Smith, Pachulia?

If the new CBA has the expected (by the teams) amnesty clause, the Hawks could use it to buy Turk out.

Nelsonis so underrated by Magic fans. Seriously – you want Arenas or Duhon running the point for josh smith? Smith would be “ok”, but is he really what we need? Not for Nelson. For Bass/Anderson then yes. Hinrich coming over would help soften the blow, but Nelson is such a clutch player. That guy has won so many games for us. I’d like to see the Magic keep the Dwight/Jameer/JJ combo together, which I feel is the heart of the team. All 3 ggusy give it their all every night.

but he is one of the most clutch players in the league. No fear in that guy. Ball in his hands at the end of the game, I’m thinking we have greater than a 50% chance of getting that bucket. He has been the deciding factor in many close games for us over the years. On a less balanced team – i think he also puts up 18/game. He is great in the playoffs – remember him willing us past the first few games against the Bobcats by torching Felton, when no one else on the team could hit a shot? If we have to lose Nelson to gain someone, we really have to look at whether that is an upgrade. I’d consider only a Paul or Dwill swap if we are losing Nelson. Isn’t he supposed to be Howard’s best friend anyway? Can’t use Jameer as a scapegoat man. Dude is clutch.

Nelson is our next best player (next to Howard of course.)

I’d love to see Smith in a Orlando uniform, it would mean a lot to Howard. Not sure if trading Nelson would be worth it though for someone like Smith just because at first glance he doesn’t seem to fit in with the Magic. I’d like to keep J.J. but anyone else should be sent off and packing. Nelson isn’t what the Magic need anymore though. He’s clutch and a leader, but his numbers aren’t what they were. Maybe it is time to part ways with him? After all he is going to be 30. The mileage on his body might start showing up sooner rather than latter.