Magic Trade Bogans To Bucks For Tyronn Lue

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Analysis, NBA Free Agents, NBA News, NBA Trades

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The “Associated Press” reported Thursday that the Orlando Magic traded veteran shooting guard Keith Bogans to the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Tyronn Lue and what is being labeled as “cash considerations“. Orlando lost All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson Monday night for the balance of the campaign, when he tore the labrum in his right shoulder as his team fell to the Dallas Mavericks.

Lue is the epitome of the journeyman player, in this his eleventh season in the Association he has been with seven different teams. This will be his second stint with Orlando, he played 76 games for them in the 2003-2004 season. Lue has averaged 8.6 points, and 3.2 assists for his career.

Lue now becomes the second player capable of playing the point for the Magic, as he will share the spot with veteran back up Anthony Johnson. Unfortunately neither Lue or Johnson are capable of playing major minutes for a team that hopes to contend with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference title. Orlando has enough talent that there will be no problem making the post season, but a combination of Lue and Johnson will not get the Magic deep into the playoffs.

A name that the Magic may want to consider is former NBA guard Jeff McInnis who has been out of the Association since being released by the Charlotte Bobcats last February. Unless McInnis skills have totally atrophied in the last year, McInnis could be part of the solution with Orlando.

There has never been any doubt about the skills that Jeff McInnis can bring to the floor when he is focused. Jeff is a very proud man, and alas a very sensitive man, who needs to feel wanted. McInnis is a stand up guy, I know from first hand experience having covered him during his days in Cleveland. Jeff, good game or bad, would always answer a reporters questions, and take responsibility if he thought he made a mistake.

The problem for McInnis is when he no longer feels like he is an integral part of a team, he gets insecure, and eventually implodes. That would not happen this season in Orlando, as they do need him. Is he comparable to Jameer Nelson? Of course not, but he would be a definite upgrade if he is in playing shape over the tandem they are set to go with.

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