The Los Angeles Lakers traded guard Maurice Evans and forward Brian Cook to the Orlando Magic for guard Trevor Ariza.
Since it didn’t involve a big name player, the majority of NBA fans basically shrugged their shoulders and ignored this trade. The hardcore basketball fans, though, see the potential for this trade to help out both teams.
Maurice Evans will never be a superstar, but he’s a solid role player who can provide backup minutes at both wing spots.
Out of the three players involved in this trade, Brian Cook has the most potential to make the biggest impact. No, he’s not going to be providing 20 points and 10 rebounds a night. He won’t be even close. What he will provide is an outside shooting threat that can pull the opposing forwards and centers away from the paint. His ability to free up space for Dwight Howard to dominate inside is going to be very valuable.
Trevor Ariza is far from being an all-star player, but he does have potential to explode against certain matchups. If he can provide enough of a burst off the bench for the Lakers at the two wing spots, then he’ll be worth the two veteran role players that the Lakers gave up to get him.
Under appreciated trades like these are great for the league.
