NBA Offseason Trades: Which Team Got the Better Return, Hornets or Magic
First it was the New Orleans Hornets, now the Orlando Magic. Two teams that have been forced to face life without their superstars. Who got the better return?
During the NBA offseason, Dwight Howard got his wish to leave the Magic, who sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team trade.
The offseason before that, Chris Paul got his wish and was traded by the Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers. They were two of the NBA’s top-10 players who whined and moaned about where they did not want to be. Howard did so loudly, Paul quietly.
I can't blame either player for wanting to leave his previous team. My reaction may have been the same if I were in their shoes. The only thing I perhaps would have done differently is widen the pool of teams I was considering.
Imagine Chris Paul wearing an Indiana Pacers jersey or Dwight Howard with the Portland Trail Blazers. Instantly, both teams would have been part of the NBA championship picture.
That is how the pendulum swings, not just the NBA, but in all sports. When great players move, the teams that they move to get better.
But what about Howard's and Paul's original teams? You know, the teams that were forced into a trade and took a deal that was “best for the franchise going forward.”
The Hornets will be just fine, but not because of the trade of Paul that brought them Eric Gordon and the rights to draft Austin Rivers. Their improvement comes from the luck of a ping-pong ball that won them the right to draft rookie sensation Anthony Davis.
Poor Magic fans, I am sorry that the front office of your beloved team sat on its hands and tried to call Howard’s bluff. Had other teams been in the mix, the Magic could have much more to show for the Howard trade than Arron Afflalo, Moe Harkless, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic and spare change.
Of those players, only Afflalo and Harrington are known NBA commodities. They both are solid players who would improve the playoff chances of any contender.
So which team, the Hornets or the Magic, got the better deal?
The Hornets received an all-star caliber player in Gordon, while the Magic is blessed to have depth. The Hornets, barring any injuries, will compete for a playoff spot. I believe that the Magic can do the same.
The defections for the Magic were Howard and Jason Richardson. Afflalo will seamlessly replace Richardson’s production and improve the defense at shooting guard. While it is true that no one can replace Howard’s contributions, if there is a case of addition by subtraction, this was it.
I learned a lot about the character of the Magic in the playoffs. They showed some fight.
They did not seem to want Howard around just as much he did not want to be around them. Glen “Big Baby” Davis showed some leadership abilities that we never knew existed. The Magic will be back.
In New Orleans, there is a young team on the rise. Perhaps the Hornets are a few years away from championship contention, but they have enough weapons that they will be a force from the opening tip.
Do not feel sorry for them, I am not alone when I say that the Hornets’ future is brighter than the Clippers. The Hornets have at least three young players who have that elusive “it” factor.
The Magic and Hornets are teams that have moved on without their superstars.
Who has the advantage? You decide.
