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Trade Deadline: Contenders Deal For Point Guards At Their Own Risk

By Phil Watson

Jan 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks for an opening around Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks for an opening around Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic moves the ball up court against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-91 in overtime and lead the series 3-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic moves the ball up court against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-91 in overtime and lead the series 3-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Deal: Down Jameer, Orlando Gets Some Rafer Magic

Houston Rockets Get: Kyle Lowry, Brian Cook
Memphis Grizzlies Get: Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks, Orlando’s 2009 first-round pick
Orlando Magic Get: Rafer Alston

The Orlando Magic were chasing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference and had lost point guard Jameer Nelson to a shoulder injury that wiped him out for most of the rest of the season.

On Feb. 19, 2009, the Magic worked out a deal, sending a first-round pick and reserves Adonal Foyle and Mike Wilks to the Memphis Grizzlies, who sent Kyle Lowry to the Houston Rockets, who sent starting point guard Rafer Alston to the Magic while also getting Brian Cook back from Orlando.

The Rockets moved Aaron Brooks into the starting lineup and went 20-8 the rest of the way, reaching the second round of the playoffs before losing a Game 7 on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers without injured stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

Alston helped Orlando past Cleveland in an Eastern Conference Finals upset and into the NBA Finals, where they were cast aside by the Lakers in five games.

The Magic were 39-14 before the trade and 20-9 afterward and rolled through the Eastern Conference playoffs in six games over the Philadelphia 76ers, seven games over the Boston Celtics and six games over the Cavaliers and LeBron James.

Alston averaged 12 points and 5,1 assists per game after the trade—well below Nelson’s season averages of 16.7 points and 5.4 assists, and Nelson’s superior 3-point shooting (45.3 percent to Alston’s 31.7 mark after the deal) was also missed.

Alston was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in the offseason, with the Magic getting back Ryan Anderson and Vince Carter.

Next: The Hawks Make A Play