Francis is now a New York Knick

[bluesheep]

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of guard Anfernee Hardaway from New York in exchange for guard Steve Francis, Assistant General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the team has waived forward Bo Outlaw.


http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Magic_Acquire_Ariza_022206.html

And the Magic are now fucked....

[Solid Snake]

What the hell are the Knicks gonna do with 2 good PGs?

[JerkyMyTurky]

The Magic are not fucked, the ended up benefitting more from this trade than the Knicks in my opinion. They got rid of Francis' huge contract that was going to last 3 years and they get Hardaway's contract that expires at the end of this year. This trade helped free up 16 million, to spend next year. They got young talent in Howard, Milicic and Nelson and will have money to spend on a star this summer. They are headed in the right direction, I wouldn't worry about them.

Knicks now have ANOTHER huge contract player, that nobody will take off their hands. Jalen Rose is one, Jerome James is another and Stephan Marbury the 3rd and now they have Steve Francis. All these players are making a shitload and they are over the hill, suck or aren't going to help the team. The Knicks aren't going to be able to sign a star free agent for another 3-5 years, because of these contracts they have. They better hope Curry and Frye turn into stars next year or this team is going to stink for a few more years.

[Jimothy51]

The Knicks should actually try to lose and get a better draft pick. They're not contending this year, so I don't see the point to this. Francis can't make them worse, so they might win 5 more games now at the cost of $16M for the next 3 years. I'm a Celtics fan so I'm not following the NBA that closely this season, but I heard that Franchise is having an off year. How off has this year been for him?

[Kyrama]

The Magic will benefit greatly from these trades. Give them some time, but they are one of the few young teams that seem to have a bright future. Most Orlando fans seem to be happy with the trade.

I'm amazed by how great a first half they're having against the Nets tonight, I wonder if it continues.

[JerkyMyTurky]

The Knicks should actually try to lose and get a better draft pick. They're not contending this year, so I don't see the point to this.

Even if they finished dead last and won the 1st round draft pick overall, they would not get that draft pick, as it was traded to the Chicago Bulls, in the Eddie Curry deal. Making trades is the only way this team can try to improve right now.

[patriotwarrior7]

Magic aren't fucked, They are better now with Jameer Nelson then Francis.

My god they just keep adding money. I really don't understand it. Marbury and Francis in the same backcourt? One will dribble for 12 seconds pass to the other one to finish of the shot clock. They are stuck in cap hell for the next 3-4 years with players no other team really wants. Marbury, Crawford, Francis, Rose, Maurice Taylor, Malik Rose, etc.... My hands are hurting typing all these players. And they trade of an expiring contract (which is very valuable in the NBA) for a player whos the same as Marbury.

PLUS, the NY traded away their 2007 1st round pick in the Eddy Curry trade. That pick could be the #1 pick overall and a chance at the 2007 Lebron James.........Center Greg Oden. Most teams put some sort of lottery protection on these picks. The Knicks just gave them up for a player who's team was more than willing to trade him. If the Bulls get that #1 pick Knick fans will hate Isiah Thomas for the rest of their lives. You dont give up a shot at Oden. Hell they could just protected that pick just in case in was the #1 overall.

[Jimothy51]

Even if they finished dead last and won the 1st round draft pick overall, they would not get that draft pick, as it was traded to the Chicago Bulls, in the Eddie Curry deal. Making trades is the only way this team can try to improve right now.
I remember hearing that pick was protected if it was a certain number. I could be way off though, or thinking of a different team.