When the Dwight Howard trade finally went down in the offseason, everyone was shitting on Orlando for what they got in return. Howard was going to be gone from Orlando in a year regardless so the Magic were put in a tough spot, but all things considered they received a solid haul in return for the controversial big man. Let's look at the two biggest current returns:
1. Aaron Afflalo- Many were upset with the trade because Afflalo was the biggest name the Magic got and he would be more of a number three option on a contending team. News Flash: Orlando without Dwight was not going to be a contending team in the near future and at the end of the day, other then maybe Brook Lopez, Afflalo was the best player the Magic was being offered by any team. As the Magic's number one option Afflalo is putting up good numbers of 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, and shooting 46% from the field. He is playing well on both sides of the ball and is a very good piece in Orlando's rebuilding efforts.
2. Nikola Vucevic- Many people saw Vuecic as a throw in player in this deal, when in reality he was a 2011 first round pick, a legit 7 footer, and a guy who showed promise as a rookie. Now in his second season, the 22 year old Vuecic is really coming into his own. He is averaging 11.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and shooting over 50% from the field. His numbers also keep improving. In the month of December he averaged over 12 ppg and just under 13 rpg. Last week in a game against the defending champion Miami Heat, Vuecic put up 20 points and 29 rebounds. At only 22 years old Vuecic is only going to keep improving and has a chance to become a top 5 center in this league within the next few years.
Then of course there are the 3 future first round picks and 2012 lottery pick Moe Harkless (who is basically a fourth first round pick). Harkless has struggled thus far but if even just one of these 4 picks ends up becoming a good player then Orlando has a third great piece in the rebuilding effort. Throw in the $18 million trade exception they got in the Dwight deal and the Magic are in good shape for the future. Meanwhile the Lakers are struggling with Dwight (they are only 3 games better then Orlando at this point in the season), Andrew Bynum has yet to play for Philly and doesn't have a return date set, and Denver is no better with Andre Iguodala then they were without him. It's time to face facts, Orlando was put in a tough position with Dwight but they ended up making the best deal they could and are seeing some immediate returns.
1. Aaron Afflalo- Many were upset with the trade because Afflalo was the biggest name the Magic got and he would be more of a number three option on a contending team. News Flash: Orlando without Dwight was not going to be a contending team in the near future and at the end of the day, other then maybe Brook Lopez, Afflalo was the best player the Magic was being offered by any team. As the Magic's number one option Afflalo is putting up good numbers of 17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, and shooting 46% from the field. He is playing well on both sides of the ball and is a very good piece in Orlando's rebuilding efforts.
2. Nikola Vucevic- Many people saw Vuecic as a throw in player in this deal, when in reality he was a 2011 first round pick, a legit 7 footer, and a guy who showed promise as a rookie. Now in his second season, the 22 year old Vuecic is really coming into his own. He is averaging 11.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and shooting over 50% from the field. His numbers also keep improving. In the month of December he averaged over 12 ppg and just under 13 rpg. Last week in a game against the defending champion Miami Heat, Vuecic put up 20 points and 29 rebounds. At only 22 years old Vuecic is only going to keep improving and has a chance to become a top 5 center in this league within the next few years.
Then of course there are the 3 future first round picks and 2012 lottery pick Moe Harkless (who is basically a fourth first round pick). Harkless has struggled thus far but if even just one of these 4 picks ends up becoming a good player then Orlando has a third great piece in the rebuilding effort. Throw in the $18 million trade exception they got in the Dwight deal and the Magic are in good shape for the future. Meanwhile the Lakers are struggling with Dwight (they are only 3 games better then Orlando at this point in the season), Andrew Bynum has yet to play for Philly and doesn't have a return date set, and Denver is no better with Andre Iguodala then they were without him. It's time to face facts, Orlando was put in a tough position with Dwight but they ended up making the best deal they could and are seeing some immediate returns.
