Let’s face it: Orlando Magic GM Rob Hennigan got fleeced in the Dwight Howard trade. Put over a barrel by the demands of a petulant, wishy-washy superstar, he was the only executive who did not acquire an All-Star in the four-team blockbuster.
Hennigan’s net take for Howard and some extra parts was Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Christian Eyenga, Josh McRoberts, three highly protected future first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Unless Hennigan does some more wheeling and dealing this summer, his roster is the above players plus Jameer Nelson, Big Baby Davis, J.J. Redick, Quentin Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Gustavo Ayon, Justin Harper and rookies Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O’Quinn.
With a rookie coach in Jacque Vaughn, that squad is in the netherworld between contending and rebuilding, destined for 50-55 losses and virtually no chance at the high draft pick it needs to truly start over.
The Magic will be tough to watch this season. But during timeouts, the group of fine upstanding young women pictured above will be much easier on the eyes. These 20 ladies are the Orlando Magic Dancers for the 2012-13 season, announced Monday.
Perhaps they are smiling because they don’t follow basketball.
