According to Marc Stein via Twitter, the Orlando Magic will sign-and-trade Ryan Anderson to the New Orleans Hornets.

I'm told New Orleans Hornets will acquire Ryan Anderson via sign-and-trade deal with Orlando. Deal is on verge of completion today

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2012

Moments after this Twitter feed posted, Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune tweeted some additional information:

League source says #Hornets acquiring SF Ryan Anderson from #Magic in sign and trade for Gustavo Ayon.

— Jimmy Smith (@JimmySmithtp) July 8, 2012

J.A Adande is also reporting via Twitter that this transaction is completely irrelevant to the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, but I have to think that it is pointing to the Magic's future plans.

Do you think the Ryan Anderson trade has anything to do with a future Dwight Howard deal?

Yes. No. Submit Vote vote to see results

Do you think the Ryan Anderson trade has anything to do with a future Dwight Howard deal?

Yes.

65.1%

No.

34.9%

Total votes: 516

I'm told Magic's sendoff of Ryan Anderson to NO isn't precursor to a Dwight deal...Ryan's price tag getting too high for Magic's taste.

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) July 8, 2012

Finally, Adrian Wojnarowski of Y! Sports tweeted the following information:

Y! Sources: Orlando's Ryan Anderson agrees to a four-year, $36 million contract in sign-and-trade to New Orleans. tinyurl.com/87lqna2

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 8, 2012

There is no telling what the Orlando Magic are trying to accomplish here. Are they looking to completely start over and rebuild from scratch?

How will this move affect teams like the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets who are the favorites to land Orlando's disgruntled star?

If this move indicates the Magic are going into rebuild mode, it would seem as if Brooklyn would be completely wiped out of the Howard sweepstakes, as their draft picks can presumably be projected in the 20s for the next few years.

The Houston Rockets, who have been reportedly doing everything in their power to acquire D12, may have just become the front-runners for Howard. They have an assortment of young players and low-projected draft picks they could offer Orlando.

Meanwhile, it seems the Lakers should still be in the running as Andrew Bynum would be an incredible piece to build any franchise around.

Gustavo Ayon is coming off his rookie season, in which he averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.