Two former-Raptors change places

[Magus Relmyn]

BOSTON -- The Orlando Magic acquired Doug Christie from Sacramento for Cuttino Mobley on Monday in a trade of guards intended to improve their defense and passing.

The Kings also received forward Michael Bradley, who is on the injured list with a strained right hamstring.

The deal, first reported by ESPN Insider Chad Ford, was announced at halftime of Orlando's game with the Boston Celtics. Mobley, who had started 21 of his 23 games this season for the Magic, did not play Monday and was replaced in the starting lineup by Stacey Augmon.

"We felt that Doug was a perfect fit for the chemistry of our team right now," Orlando general manager John Weisbrod said in a statement. "He's a tremendous passer and defender, he's accustomed to playing in an up-tempo offense and he brings valuable playoff experience."

He said he likes Mobley but the Magic's depth at shooting guard helped them make the trade.

The Kings have been looking to juice their backcourt scoring ever since Bobby Jackson went down for the season. While the deal makes Sacramento more potent offensively, it does lose its best (and sometimes only) defender in Christie.

The deal is also a salary cap wash, as both Christie and Mobley are free agents after the 2005-06 season.

Christie is averaging 7.3 points, 4.9 assists and fouR rebounds in 31 games, all starts. Mobley is averaging 16 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. In eight games with the Magic, Bradley is averaging 0.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6.9 minutes per game.

Proof! (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1964051)

Michael Bradley has a shitload of talent, but he has never put one ounce of it together. Have fun SacTown. *blush*

[NomarFan5]

Good. Christie sucks.. Now Bibby will have some more help.

[slinky]

I don't see the point of this trade, Christie is a good defender, but he is getting old. Why would a rebuilding team in the Magic want him? As for the Kings, Mobley should be a pretty solid player. Defensively he is not quite as good, but is younger and better offensively.

[thechadman2]

The Kings needed help defensively, if anything. Their offense is good enough.

[Achilles]

The Cat is every bit as good defensively as Christie is, and much better offensively. The Magic must be on crack cocaine.

[thechadman2]

The Magic must be on crack cocaine.


I say that sometimes, lol. You must be on crack cocaine. Mainly to m mom, sometimes I think she is though. Just kidding. But not really.

[slinky]

The only problem I see could be that Mobley's tendency to dribble the ball. He isn't as good as a passer Christie. Because of that, it might disrupt the flow of the Kings offense, which is about passing and swinging the ball.

[thechadman2]

The worst part of the trade for the Magic was the Cat was Steve Francis' best friend. They've been playing together for a long time and he had no warning about this trade. Now he is upset like T-Mac was last year. Stupid move.

[slinky]

I can't really believe the Magic would just trade him without warning to Francis, that is just stupid. And if I'm not mistaken, its either Christie or Mobely's contract expiring? Anyone confirm?

[DONtheGREAT23]

i believe mobley is a free agent at the end of the year and christie has one more year left

[slinky]

I think that is it, anyways its probably a salary cap move. Mobley might cost them too much, while Christie could mentor the younger players, as well playing and having a soon expiring contract.