Game Time: Atlanta vs Orlando

Orlando Magic

Just watched the Hawks-Magic game from last night this morning.

Orlando’s big man rotation is a train wreck without Ryan Anderson. Any type of foul trouble to Dwight Howard and this team’s defense will fall apart in a heartbeat. No rim protection.

It’ll be interesting to see if they find a trade that allows to acquire a backup center. They badly need one. Likely with JJ Redick heading the other way.

Hedo Turkoglu isn’t getting enough touches to be the impact player he was two years ago for the Magic. He is more of a 13-14ppg and 3-4apg threat (roughly the player he was in Toronto) rather than the 17/5 guy he used to be here in Orlando. He misses those second units where he could play alongside Anthony Johnson and have the offense run through his hands for 5-6 minutes in each half. He just can’t get those same opportunities with Nelson and Arenas sharing the point.

Orlando Acquires Hedo + J-Rich + Arenas

ESPN is reporting

The Orlando Magic, already in serious trade talks with the Washington Wizards about acquiring Gilbert Arenas, have agreed to a deal in principle with the Phoenix Suns, according to league sources.

The trade returns former Magic star Hedo Turkoglu, along with Jason Richardson and Earl Clark, to Orlando in exchange for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 first-round pick and cash considerations.

Orlando, losers of five of its last six games, is also close to acquiring Arenas for Rashard Lewis, sources said.

Update: The Gilbert Arenas trade went through

The Orlando Magic capped a blockbuster day of wheeling and dealing by trading one franchise cornerstone for another, sending Rashard Lewis to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas on Saturday.

Kings Lineup

I haven’t liked the Kings starting lineup(s) this season and would love to see them change to this type of a rotation:

• Starters: Tyreke + Garcia + Casspi + Greene + Dalembert
• Rotation: Udrih + Landry + Cousins
• Reserves: Head + Wright + J.Thompson + Whiteside

With Tyreke switching over to the two guard spot when Udrih enters the game similar to how they worked it last season. Greene possibly playing some SF minutes too.

I don’t like Carl Landry as a starter alongside Dalembert and Tyreke. I’d prefer to see him take a sixth man role and be the go-to scorer in the second unit like he was in Houston. Sacramento has struggled offensively to space to floor since Landry joined the team due to Tyreke’s flaws offensively and high need for improved spacing. They’d be better off with a stretch four type of presence to create extra space for Tyreke.

I also like that lineup’s ability to switch 1-4 while keeping Dalembert as it’s anchor at the rim. I think that would be an effective defensive lineup.

I think that type of lineup/rotation would give Sacramento their most cohesive lineups defensively and offensively while also being effective rebounding units.

Luxury Tax Teams

A note via ESPN

LUXURY TAX TEAMS

Team	Current Tax Bill
Lakers	$24,695,480
Magic	$24,019,804
Mavericks	$14,867,302
Nuggets	$13,552,541
Celtics	$7,369,054
Jazz	$6,733,605
Blazers	$2,650,314
Rockets	$2,393,546

A couple of other notes

Tiers Of Contention

Tier One — Legitimate Contenders

• Boston Celtics
• Miami Heat
• Los Angeles Lakers

Tier Two — Outside Contenders

• Dallas Mavericks
• Orlando Magic
• San Antonio Spurs