This is not supposed to be a general discussion about if we should trade Sergio or not. We had enough of these in recent weeks. It is also not about how to acquire Hedo Turkoglu for some rather unrealistic combination of our guys to shore up our small forward position. We could try to do that for cash next year if we want him, when he likely opts out to become an unrestricted free agent. It is about a situation that has occurred in Orlando for which Sergio could be the solution, and what we could realistically get out of it.

For starters, Orlando is also struggling with its point guard situation. Jameer Nelson has just been extended to a pretty big contract at $7.7M for the next five years (so he is now in Base Year Compensation, which makes any trades for him hard). He is a solid starter yet likely will never be amazing, and he tends to miss a couple games each season. Keyon Dooling has left Orlando, for which they got a traded player exception (more on this later). Now their backup is newly acquired Anthony Johnson, who again is solid with a good assists-to-turnover ratio and a really good outside shot, but has not played a full season in recent years usually missing about 15 games. He is 34 and not getting any quicker or healthier. Behind that, they have nobody, and that's really not much depth for this spot (plus with Pietrus, Redick and rookie Courtney Lee they don't exactly have a Brandon Roy to switch over from the other guard spot if need be).

Well, they had Mike Wilks as a third backup, but the poor guy ripped his ACL, injured his MCL and sprained his meniscus last week in a game against Charlotte. Ergo, his agent announced he will be out for the season. What makes matters worse, this means his salary instantly becomes guaranteed (a little detail I didn't know about, should be considered for any non-guaranteed deals in training camp!), bringing the Magic dangerously close to luxury tax territory which they don't want to cross at all. They have a roster spot open even if they don't waive Wilks, but due to his contract they are now only about $886,00 away from the threshold. Guess who's salary would fit in there nicely: Sergio, at $879,000. He could instantly be the #2 PG on that team, increase the speed in the second unit, and guys like Lewis and Howard surely wouldn't mind getting some more alley-oop passes.

Now, since the Magic are over the salary cap, they couldn't take Sergio's salary for nothing. Yet there are several options (or combinations thereof): KP could try to talk them into giving us Marcin Gortat for Sergio, a promising 24 years old 6'11" PF/C who played very well in the last playoffs despite seeing only minimal time in the regular season (and maybe a 2010 second round pick). He is a little cheaper, and is on the last year of his deal. But the Magic might not be too willing to do that since he should also play a significant role in their big-men-rotation this year and could edge out Battie or Foyle.

Or, they could use a part of the $3.3M trade exception from the Keyon Dooling trade to absorb the salary, and just send us a pick. Here again, there would be at least two options: We could take their 2009 pick which would likely be in the 20-ish region again, in order to combine it with our own first round pick which could also be in this region if we make the playoffs (plus whatever else we want to give up in future picks) and move up into the lottery to get a meaningful player.

Or we could make up for our lost Spanish player by asking for the rights to un-signed 2005 draft pick PF/C Fran Vazquez, who is 25, a little over 6'10", and plays for Barcelona in the ACB. He had stunned the Magic by extending his contract there after the draft, and at this time doesn't seem really inclined to come over to Orlando ever. Vazquez was once hyped very highly as a great defensive player, causing Orlando to take him at #11, but since then never has realized his full potential. Still, he might be a serviceable backup for next year when Raef and maybe another big man is gone. Yesterday, he had 6 rebounds, 1 block and 4 points (2-5) in a preseason game against the Lakers in a little under 20 minutes. KP might be able to lure him over like he has done so well with Rudy.

Of course, Orlando could go with some lame free agent point guard instead, but the market is pretty empty and experienced veterans cost way more than they have left. And I don't even think it's likely the Blazers will move Sergio right now with Bayless not really starring in the preseason. It's just an interesting situation that has come up where you could see a team in need of a player like him and where a little trade could work to add perceived value for both sides.