Orlando Magic: What Should We Expect In The Aftermath Of The Blockbuster Trade?

While a trade seemed to be imminent and may have been the only way for Otis Smith to keep his job, nobody really expected moves of this magnitude.

Once again the NBA taught us no contract is unmovable and nobody is untouchable. Not only that, loyalty is utterly overrated.

Just imagine the heat Rashard Lewis would take if the 2008/2009 season were to be his contract year and he chose to sign with another team for less money.

Who would guarantee that Toronto wouldn't trade Chris Bosh to a rebuilding team with no shot at the title for the coming five seasons, if he were to underachieve in 2009 while showing a little promise to recover?

The new and improved magic have four point guards and no contender-caliber supporting big men. Stan Van Gundy might pull a rabbit of the hat, but can he count on Kevin Garnett to be injured again?

With deadly three-point shooters and all high IQ line-up but no defensive stoppers, can he dream of either stopping Dwyane Wade and LeBron James or outscoring them altogether?

Those questions would bring out a better question: Who will get the starting gig and who plays at what position? Would he go for a balanced line-up or an unconventional one as he always does?

Jameer Nelson will start. That was too obvious for me that I am surprised that some people would question it.

Nelson is short (as in not tall) and short (as in not long) even for a point guard standing at mere six feet. There is no way to play him as a shooting guard and expect to get stops.

On the other hand, Gilbert Arenas has good size and decent off the ball skills to play the two-spot.

It comes in handy that Arenas is accustomed to come off of the bench when you have a natural shooting guard like Jason Richardson, it only make sense to give him the gig.

That begs the question if it is possible to have a back court of Nelson and Arenas with Richardson at 3-spot.

In a fantasy league where only stats do the talking? Sure!

In real life where Orlando Magic running Stan Van Gundy's offensive games that relies on mismatches and in-bound post game? A recipe for disaster!

A short lineup like that can not defend properly, let alone creating against any team with a little bit of size.

In any case, why would Van Gundy force two guys to play out of position where Jason Richardson is not really a small forward? Scary thing is, he sometimes likes to do that.

That brings us to the return of the prodigal sun, Hedo Turkoglu.

Some Magic fans' love towards him is sentimental and even platonic. In other words, those fans loved him from a distance and at will. It was never serious nor exclusive.

Now that he is moving in with them and they are becoming more than friends. I understand why that might be a problem.

He might never be the guy that he was two years ago, but I am sure he will have more impact in Orlando than anywhere else.

It is very likely that Turkoglu will get his starting job back from Van Gundy, and his number and uniform back from Vince Carter.

It was reported at least a dozen of times that he stayed after the scheduled practices to work on his core strength, conditioning and shots.

He has been trying to get back in Phoenix and his attitude was praised there by the team officials. It is now time for positive reinforcement and patience.

The front court of Dwight Howard and Brandon Bass will bang with the best of them. On the other hand, Magic fans will have finger cramps from crossing their fingers that Howard would not pickup early fouls.

Marcin Gortat provided that insurance at will, but you can't hold on to a starting caliber center forever and have him play the man with the duty role.

Listening to Gilbert Arenas interview and noticing how excited and happy he was, knowing Jason Richardson is a top-notch shooting guard, and believing in Hedo; I have my hopes hitting to the ceiling of the Amway Arena.

This team is light years better than the one from the training camp and they have a shot at the finals again.

However, I am sad to see Rashard is gone. He got his dancing partner back in Hedo only to be sent away the very same day. I would have expected his numbers go way up if he were to stay.

To finish with an interesting note, I will state one hardcore truth. Hedo Turkoglu got his way with the Orlando Magic, officially.

He wanted to stay. He said that he might accept a lighter contract for that to happen. But they gave him $24 million and one reason to go, the last reason being bringing in Vince Carter.

He had no choice but to take his talents up north.

After an abysmal season, the Phoenix Suns came to the rescue and tried make him a better Boris Diaw.

It didn't work out in the desert either albeit some good performances.

Now that he came back after one and a half years of exile, he probably is making more money than what he would have accepted to stay in Orlando.

He certainly paid his dues and took enough attitude from the rowdy hockey fans.

He finally returned to where he had called home -- for both professional and personal reasons. It is a known fact that his wife still lives in Orlando with their daughter.

You got to respect that.