GOODEN TO CLEVELAND
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired forward Drew Gooden, center Steven Hunter and the rights to Anderson Varejao from the Orlando Magic for center/forward Tony Battie and two future second-round draft picks.
What does it give the Cleveland Cavaliers
New hope, redemption and a rebuilt frontcourt. In one swift move the Cavaliers are suddenly a promising young team again. After solid power forward Carlos Boozer took the money and ran out on Cleveland earlier this summer, many wondered if GM Jim Paxson would lose his job. Now he suddenly looks like the second coming of Jerry West. By stealing Gooden from the Magic, he gets a player who could be an elite-level power forward--with more potential than Boozer. Varejao is equally promising and Hunter is a legit 7-footer who could still develop into a very good center. This wasn't a steal, it was a heist of mega proportions.
What does it give the Orlando Magic
A reason for their fans to be cynical again. Just when the Magic looked like they were turning the corner with some uncommonly smart off-season moves, they throw away three young big men with huge upside, and for what? Even when healthy, Battie is serviceable at best and second-round draft picks rarely pan out in the NBA. There will be plenty of excuses--Gooden and Varejao are emperamental, Hunter hasn't blossomed, etc.--but at the end of the day Orlando gives up three inexpensive players who eventually could be excellent performers for second-tier talent. Maybe it's a money issue, but the Magic got short-changed on this one.
Fantasy impact
