We asked you to play the waiting game with Otis and we openly sought the attention of Brandon Bass and now we must give Daddy Warbucks our GM Otis Smith his due.

Otis has turned into a very shrewd and masterful general manager who instead of just being satisfied with going to the Finals saw this team's weaknesses and decided to act on them seemingly as soon as the confetti was swept off the Amway floor.

First of all Otis extends an offer to Hedo who has to think about it. Instead of sitting on his hands and waiting he senses Hedo will be too expensive or not resign so he goes and gets Vince Carter which was exactly what the Magic needed. He can create his own shot and finish at the rim much better than Hedo and all they gave up was promising rookie Courtney Lee. A more underrated acquisition of the trade was Ryan Anderson of Cal. Now we do not get carried away with Summer League but he was clearly one of the best players out there and looks like a great piece for the future.

2 rules apply to NBA trades. Whoever gets the most talented player wins (check) and you never trade big for small (check). The Magic hit a homerun and took advantage of a team that desperately wanted to cut payroll.

Otis then gets involved in the Shawn Marion deal and picks up a very valuable 8 million dollar trade exception that can be used at anytime for a pretty nice piece. (Cough Shane Battier Cough).

Then knowing there is only an 8 man roster Otis lets ideas float out that he is only going to be offering up the vet minimum and was very, very vague with the media. We hear that a team has made an offer to Brandon Bass in the 5 years and 25 million range but we find out it was agent speak. Otis continues to negotiate with Bass while his agent runs his mouth and then splash 4 years 18 million. The brilliance in this is Dallas is convinced that Otis will not match Gortat so they step away and watch from the sidelines.

Then yesterday Otis matches the offer sheet on Marcin Gortat seemingly leaving the Mavs befuddled. It was clearly a move they thought they had in the bag but Otis knew all along he would match the offer. Even if Marcin is traded after December he kept a young, coveted asset that should net the Magic a nice player or draft pick in what could be a very deep draft.

Now the Magic have veteran players like Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis who though slightly past their prime are tremendous players and both have proved to be solid in the clutch. Dwight is still only 23 and is scratching the surface. Bass, Anderson, Nelson, JJ, Pietrus, and Gortat are all still in their young 20's and have many more years in the tank. Plus this new blend allows the Magic to feature a more traditional lineup.

Then if things do not work out this season you have a massive trade exception and seperately you have several young pieces and what is essentially an expiring contract in Vince Carter.

Overall you never know how things will work out because no one can see in a crystal ball except Miss Cleo but on paper this team has the makings of something special not just now but in the future. For that we must all thank our General Manager Mr. Otis Smith.

Special thanks to "rtillaree" for the photo.

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