Orlando Magic acquire Gilbert Arenas for Rashard Lewis

[Da Coach]

Gilbert Arenas goes from the Washington Wizards to the Orlando Magic for Rashard Lewis. The Magic then also acquired Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark from the Phoenix Suns for Vince Carter, Martin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, a first round draft pick, and cash.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5932861

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view/20101218magic_acquire_gilbert_arenas_hedo_turkoglu_jason_richardson/srvc=sports&position=recent_bullet

[BradleyBrave]

The Bulls have no real SG and the Magic just traded for 2. Richardson would have been an IDEAL fit. Unless the Bulls make a move for a real starting NBA shooting guard and a capable bench big man, they're no better than 4th in the East despite their dramatic improvement. Frustrating.

[SFP]

I like Gilbert Arenas especially if he can play team ball. That is the question. He loves slowing it down and going 1 on 1. It should be interesting to see how he meshes with the rest of the team. The Wizards are in a complete rebuilding mode and John Wall is the cornerstone.

[unbekannt]

The Bulls have no real SG and the Magic just traded for 2. Richardson would have been an IDEAL fit. Unless the Bulls make a move for a real starting NBA shooting guard and a capable bench big man, they're no better than 4th in the East despite their dramatic improvement. Frustrating.

Would you really want either of those players on the Bulls? Are they really much of an upgrade from Korver/Brewer? Arenas is a problem and has trouble staying healthy. He would be a terrible fit on the Bulls b/c he's essentially a shooting PG. Richardson might not be a bad fit, but it would really depend on what you have to give up to get him. He seems to be far past his prime at this point. The Magic just made a desperation move, but it could easily back-fire. The Bulls don't have the talent this year to win a title, and it's probably better for them to avoid mortgaging their future for a run at the conference championships.

[thefish7]

I've heard some OJ Mayo to the bulls rumors... I think he'd be a nice fit.

[BradleyBrave]

Would you really want either of those players on the Bulls? Are they really much of an upgrade from Korver/Brewer? Arenas is a problem and has trouble staying healthy. He would be a terrible fit on the Bulls b/c he's essentially a shooting PG. Richardson might not be a bad fit, but it would really depend on what you have to give up to get him. He seems to be far past his prime at this point. The Magic just made a desperation move, but it could easily back-fire. The Bulls don't have the talent this year to win a title, and it's probably better for them to avoid mortgaging their future for a run at the conference championships.

Are you kidding me? Have you seen Keith Bogans play? Brewer gives you some nice energy defensively, but couldn't throw a rock in the ocean. Korver is what he is, a spot up 3 point shooter off the bench. I like him, but we need more than just Kyle Korver filling a bench role at that position. Jason Richardson would have been ideal - An athletic 2 that can shoot the 3 and get out and run. I wouldn't have really wanted Arenas because the contract, baggage, and injuries. But Richardson would have upped the ceiling for this team quite a bit. Finances did play a part, and Bulls have a few contracts that are short in length and low in dollars, plus some draft picks. If the Bulls plan on being anything more than a 4 seed and 2nd round out, they need to be exploring deals for a starting SG that can shoot the ball, and a bench big man that can contribute. Omer Asik is bad and unskilled, and Kurt Thomas is old.

It's my guess that the Bulls will likely stand pat (in typical Bulls fashion), and wait for the dust to settle with the CBA before deciding how to add to this team. The dust won't be settled until after this season, so I think the 2nd round is where this current group maxes out.

[AZ BU Fan]

Depending on who the Phoenix Suns pick up with the #1 draft choice they got from the Magic, this could be a great trade for the Suns.

Phoenix desparately needed a center who can defend and rebound, even an average center, and got one.

They also were not going to get much from Turkolu in their system, so they dumped him and his salary.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

Are you kidding me? Have you seen Keith Bogans play? Brewer gives you some nice energy defensively, but couldn't throw a rock in the ocean. Korver is what he is, a spot up 3 point shooter off the bench. I like him, but we need more than just Kyle Korver filling a bench role at that position. Jason Richardson would have been ideal - An athletic 2 that can shoot the 3 and get out and run. I wouldn't have really wanted Arenas because the contract, baggage, and injuries. But Richardson would have upped the ceiling for this team quite a bit. Finances did play a part, and Bulls have a few contracts that are short in length and low in dollars, plus some draft picks. If the Bulls plan on being anything more than a 4 seed and 2nd round out, they need to be exploring deals for a starting SG that can shoot the ball, and a bench big man that can contribute. Omer Asik is bad and unskilled, and Kurt Thomas is old.

It's my guess that the Bulls will likely stand pat (in typical Bulls fashion), and wait for the dust to settle with the CBA before deciding how to add to this team. The dust won't be settled until after this season, so I think the 2nd round is where this current group maxes out.

The Bulls are going to need to resign Rose soon as well. Richardson is good, but he won't help the Bulls get past Boston. Melo could, however. There's a lot of season left to play. Who do you think the Bulls could have traded to get Richardson?

[BradleyBrave]

The Bulls are going to need to resign Rose soon as well. Richardson is good, but he won't help the Bulls get past Boston. Melo could, however. There's a lot of season left to play. Who do you think the Bulls could have traded to get Richardson?

I'm not sure who they could have dealt to get Richardson. I think he could have come cheap. The pickup for Phoenix was Gortat, a draft pick, and Vince Carter's expiring contract. Contracts would have to be within I believe 25% of each other, so who knows. It's not so much Richardson as it is one team making a move. I know they have standing offers for Rudy Fernandez, 'Melo, and have kicked the tires with OJ Mayo. I'm hopeful they do something. They have the contracts, picks, and cap room to do something without completely forsaking any future flexibility. There's a lot of speculation that the Bulls are targeting Dwight Howard in 2012. We'll see.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

I'm not sure who they could have dealt to get Richardson. I think he could have come cheap. The pickup for Phoenix was Gortat, a draft pick, and Vince Carter's expiring contract. Contracts would have to be within I believe 25% of each other, so who knows. It's not so much Richardson as it is one team making a move. I know they have standing offers for Rudy Fernandez, 'Melo, and have kicked the tires with OJ Mayo. I'm hopeful they do something. They have the contracts, picks, and cap room to do something without completely forsaking any future flexibility. There's a lot of speculation that the Bulls are targeting Dwight Howard in 2012. We'll see.

Chicago hasn't really been able to play together much this year with Boozer and Noah missing time with injuries. Making a move just to make a move isn't a great idea. Keeping their cap space and contracts for a better player later in the season could work well for them. Melo and Mayo are both better players than Richardson, although I'm unsure how well May would fit with Chicago. Fernandez is a nice player, but idk how much he would add.

The Bulls took a lot of heat for not getting Kobe or Gasol. The Bulls offered a better package than LA to Memphis, but it was turned down. I don't know how real the Kobe to Chicago rumor was, but IMO it was far more hype than reality.

Chicago's championship window is probably 2-3 years from now. There's no reason to panic or get too excited this year.

[AZ BU Fan]

Chicago hasn't really been able to play together much this year with Boozer and Noah missing time with injuries.

Chicago's championship window is probably 2-3 years from now. There's no reason to panic or get too excited this year.

FSM - Spoken like a "true" BU Fan/Believer!

[BradleyBrave]

Chicago hasn't really been able to play together much this year with Boozer and Noah missing time with injuries. Making a move just to make a move isn't a great idea. Keeping their cap space and contracts for a better player later in the season could work well for them. Melo and Mayo are both better players than Richardson, although I'm unsure how well May would fit with Chicago. Fernandez is a nice player, but idk how much he would add.

The Bulls took a lot of heat for not getting Kobe or Gasol. The Bulls offered a better package than LA to Memphis, but it was turned down. I don't know how real the Kobe to Chicago rumor was, but IMO it was far more hype than reality.

Chicago's championship window is probably 2-3 years from now. There's no reason to panic or get too excited this year.

Agree on being unsure where Mayo would fit. I like his 3 point shooting, but worry that he needs the ball in his hands too much. Rudy, on the other had, would add a ton with his outside shooting ability. Basically the model is ball in Rose's hands, surrounded by shooters, and with a post scorer (Boozer) and defender/rebounder (Noah). We need more shooters desperately. Bogans, Watson, and Brewer are worthless in that regard. Bogans is actually worthless in all regards.

I also agree in not making a move just to make a move. But I think there are moves out there to be made without forsaking the future.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

Agree on being unsure where Mayo would fit. I like his 3 point shooting, but worry that he needs the ball in his hands too much. Rudy, on the other had, would add a ton with his outside shooting ability. Basically the model is ball in Rose's hands, surrounded by shooters, and with a post scorer (Boozer) and defender/rebounder (Noah). We need more shooters desperately. Bogans, Watson, and Brewer are worthless in that regard. Bogans is actually worthless in all regards.

I also agree in not making a move just to make a move. But I think there are moves out there to be made without forsaking the future.

Gay certainly seems like a good fit. In past years recently signed players could not be traded until after a certain date. Idk if that rule still exists or if that date has passed, but it could hamper Chicago's ability to trade players. One of the most difficult things about NBA trades is making the salaries match. Gay makes $13.6 million, and it would be difficult to trade him. I would also be surprised to see Memphis try to move him after just resigning him.

Hamilton ($11 mil) could become available, but he may not have much left. I really like him as a player and think he would be a good short-term fit. His contract may make a trade difficult as well. Brewer, Korver, Asik would be close to matching salaries.

As for the 2-3 years, the Bulls don't have the players or maturity level to contend this year. Even if they were to pull off a miracle and add Melo, they would still likely be behind LAL, SA, and BOS. Those teams all look to be worse in 2-3 years and that could be the season for CHI to load up. MIA and OKC (NY?) are the other teams that should contend well then. A lot can happen in 2-3 years...

FYI according to Hoopshype.com, the Bulls have $56 MIL in contracts this year with a $58 MIL cap. Kurt Thomas and Scalabrine are the only 2 expiring contracts this year with totals of approx $2.5 MIL.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/chicago.htm

[SFP]

Gay certainly seems like a good fit. In past years recently signed players could not be traded until after a certain date. Idk if that rule still exists or if that date has passed, but it could hamper Chicago's ability to trade players. One of the most difficult things about NBA trades is making the salaries match. Gay makes $13.6 million, and it would be difficult to trade him. I would also be surprised to see Memphis try to move him after just resigning him.

Hamilton ($11 mil) could become available, but he may not have much left. I really like him as a player and think he would be a good short-term fit. His contract may make a trade difficult as well. Brewer, Korver, Asik would be close to matching salaries.

As for the 2-3 years, the Bulls don't have the players or maturity level to contend this year. Even if they were to pull off a miracle and add Melo, they would still likely be behind LAL, SA, and BOS. Those teams all look to be worse in 2-3 years and that could be the season for CHI to load up. MIA and OKC (NY?) are the other teams that should contend well then. A lot can happen in 2-3 years...

FYI according to Hoopshype.com, the Bulls have $56 MIL in contracts this year with a $58 MIL cap. Kurt Thomas and Scalabrine are the only 2 expiring contracts this year with totals of approx $2.5 MIL.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/chicago.htm

If The Bulls could add Melo with Rose, Boozer and a healthy Noah they could compete with anyone as long as they maintain a decent bench. The problem is that The Nuggets are asking for a ton and Melo pretty much has said that he wants to be a Knick.