Magic Trying to Trade for Monta Ellis
Added on Mar 01, 2012 by Scott in
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The clock keeps ticking. Time is running out for the Orlando Magic to keep soon to be free agent Dwight Howard from bolting in the offseason. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so the Magic are looking at every possible angle to improve their chances of retaining the superstar center. Strengthening the current roster as a show of good faith might do the trick, which is why a trade for Golden State shooting guard Monta Ellis is being sought.
With the March 15th trade deadline looming, Orlando appears resolute not to ship Howard elsewhere, even though that’s probably the best course of action. The problem with any deal that might be considered is the lack of appealing talent on the Magic’s roster.
Forward Ryan Anderson has value, but losing him would constitute addition by subtraction since he’s the only other player on the team capable of grabbing a rebound. Jason and Quentin Richardson are old. Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Redick and Glen Davis are good, but limited.
Adding Ellis makes sense for Orlando, but not so much for Golden State, unless they get a big man in the deal. A big man like Dwight Howard. Therein lies the rub. While Ellis is a notch below Howard on the star scale, he’s still one of the game’s most prolific scorers. The Warriors aren’t going to just give him away without receiving equal compensation in return.
The Magic have little choice but to involve another team or two to balance out the offer. Even if Ellis, or another player, is brought aboard, there’s no guarantee it will be enough to supplant the likes of Chicago and Miami in the East, and in turn prevent Howard from fleeing at season’s end.
Barring a trip to the NBA Finals, Howard seems committed to joining the Lakers, Nets, Thunder or another legit contender. Orlando is right to pursue a big name player, but it might be too little, too late to stop Superman from changing in another phone booth.
Source: ESPN.com
