MAGIC GRAB DOUG CHRISTIE
The Orlando Magic acquired guard Doug Christie from the Sacramento Kings for guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Michael Bradley.
What does it give the Orlando Magic
A 'team-first' veteran who will do more of the dirty work for their
stars. The Magic are one of the league's most improved teams this season
after an almost total re-haul in the summer, but they're still searching
for balance and an identity. Steve Francis, Grant Hill, and to some
extent rookie Dwight Howard provide the offense, while Christie will now
join center Kelvin Cato in providing tough defense, team-first play, and
other 'intangibles' teams need. He's lost a step at age 34, but Christie
is a much better passer and defender than Mobley. He may actually score
a little more than in Sacramento, as there are fewer offense-minded
players on the Magic than in Sacto.
What does it give the Sacramento Kings
Yet another sweet-shooting, poor-defending scorer and some financial
flexibility. Bradley was likely a throw-in for financial purposes,
meaning it's all about Mobley--a dynamic scorer who's still only 29
years old. Christie had become a little inconsistent the past few
seasons and couldn't be counted on to take the perimeter pressure off
Peja Stojakovic. Now the Kings have excellent scoring balance from
1-to-5, unmatched in the NBA by only the Phoenix Suns. This deal
shouldn't affect his production at all. The fact Mobley is also
potentially a free agent at the end of this season gives them
flexibility to re-sign Stojakovic when his contract expires.
Fantasy impact
