Magic Trade Rumors: Anderson Varejao and Picks Wouldn't Make Up for Losing D12
Carrott Top is a solid big man, but even he and draft picks won't ease the pain of losing Dwight Howard.
Ric Bucher of ESPN is reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to offer Anderson Varejao as part of a three-time deal.
"The Cavaliers would land Lakers center Andrew Bynum for a package of draft picks and veteran power forward Anderson Varejao, according to one league source. The Lakers would receive Howard for Bynum. Orlando would get Varejao and draft picks. The source said this was merely the framework of a deal being discussed.
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Varejao is a good defender and an active body, but he isn't nearly the presence Howard is. In addition, Bynum landing in Cleveland may just make the Cavs a fringe playoff team.
If that happens, it drastically damages the value of the picks the Cavs can offer.
This is the conundrum the Magic are in. If they try to get fair value for their star while dealing with the teams they believe he'll sign an extension with, there is no real win.
Getting a third team involved is the right idea, though. Instead of finding suitors or a spot for Howard, now you're finding a fit for Bynum, which should be a little easier.
He hasn't come off as picky as D12, and after all, he is the second-best big man in the league.
Here's a thought, purely of my own creation: Why can't a team like the Chicago Bulls leap-frog the Cavaliers as the third team?
Couldn't the Bulls offer Joakim Noah, the protected Charlotte Bobcats pick they acquired in the Tyrus Thomas deal and another future first-rounder to Orlando and land Bynum in Chicago?
Noah is a cut above Varejao, and the Bobcats' pick figures to have more value, even through protection, than the Cavs' pick.
The other pick would certainly be a late-round pick, but it all seems to balance out. Noah played four years and won two national championships for the Gators, so he would be an instant fan-favorite.
That hasn't been rumored anywhere, but it seems a deal like that helps all teams involved. In reality, the Magic are slowly trying to raise the returns on their star.
I'm not sure how much room for improvement there is with the same trade partners. Just more thoughts from those affected by the Howard roller coaster.
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