| 22 July 2010
Things have been very quiet on the Magic trade front since the team re-signed JJ Redick and added on Quentin Richardson. But as Otis Smith said, he will be keeping his ears open and will continue to explore any move worth exploring.
No player has kept Magic fans salivating more than Chris Paul. Paul has been linked to Orlando in trade rumors throughout the summer (and perhaps even into last season). It is something, whether Otis Smith wants to admit it or not, that will simply not go away. And when a player like Paul is made available, you have to explore it.
Since the Paul rumors last died down, Miami acquired its three stars and turned into the menace of the East. Some would say Orlando has to make a move to match. Paul certainly adds the name power many fans want to see. But he only improves upon a position the Magic already have an advantage over the Heat on.
Not saying it would be bad to acquire one of the more dynamic players in the league. But it is not necessarily a move to combat Miami.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports is reporting Paul has asked the Hornets to either make dramatic improvements to their roster or trade him before the season begins. It could mean Paul has played his last game in New Orleans. And has once again pointed out Orlando as one of his preferred locations.
The Magic will stay mum until something happens with Paul. Either way it will be difficult for Orlando to trade away one of its captains -- and Dwight Howard's best friend on the team (although it was reportedly Howard who asked Smith to acquire Paul). Any Chris Paul deal would likely require Orlando to give up Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson.
And the big hang up for Orlando initially doing the Paul deal (beside the lack of depth at shooting guard the team would have by giving up Carter) was reportedly New Orleans' insistence Orlando take Emeka Okafor. I am personally more in favor of the Magic waiting until perhaps the trade deadline to make any drastic changes to the roster.
But if Paul is available, Orlando must explore it. Whether it makes sense is another issue entirely.
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