Orlando Magic News for August 31st: Another Carmelo Anthony Trade Scenario, D-League Musings, and More

Sandy Dover says the Orlando Magic are contenders to land Denver Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony via trade because they can offer salary relief (Vince Carter's partially expiring contract) and solid talent (Mickael Pietrus, whom Dover calls the "real treat" for Denver in the deal). He believes pairing Anthony with Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Rashard Lewis could help the Magic "go to the NBA Finals."

Four well-respected experts agree: the Magic earn an F for their non-use of the NBA's D-League so far. Eddy Rivera points out that the Magic don't have much need for the D-League, since they're a contending team, but Matt Hubert counters with this bit:

Sure, they’ve been successful on the court the past few seasons, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Other top teams like the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs have made much better use of the D-League as a developmental tool than Orlando.

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel passes along word that Howard will support earthquake relief for Haiti in a variety of ways.

As we posted in this FanShot earlier, Howard is also supporting Usher's New Look, another charity, by auctioning off a game of HORSE.