Top > Sport > 2006 > February > 2006-02-18

Francis Next to Go?

With the arrival of Carlos Arroyo, the point guard position is getting to be a little bit over crowded for the Magic. Other than Arroyo, they also have Jameer Nelson and of course Steve Francis. Does this signal that the Magic already have a deal in place for Francis? Even though Orlando?s management has downplayed the likelihood of being able to trade Francis, it seems like they are holding out for the best possible offer. This means that they might drag things up until the last second before they pull the trigger on a Francis trade.

A lot of people don?t get what the Pistons could have possibly gained from this trade. They traded a capable point guard and a player who was once the 2nd overall pick in the draft for the cap room and a first round lottery protected pick. The Pistons traded Arroyo and along with Milicic to help match the rather large salary of Cato, who makes $8.6 million this season. This will be the fourth team for the 15th selection of the 1997 NBA Draft in Cato, who has recorded 3.8 points on 43.1 percent shooting in 23 games for the Magic this season.

The draft pick headed to Detroit is lottery protected for the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft. Protection will also be enforced for the top seven picks in the 2007 draft if Orlando retains the pick, although no protection will be provided in regard to the 2008 draft.