This trade is so good it's already happened. Back in July of 2004 the Magic traded Gooden to the Cavs for Tony Battie. To be precise it was Gooden, Steven Hunter, and the rights to Anderson Varejao going to Cleveland for Battie and two second round picks (no one of note... Martinas AndroclesandtheLionuswiththereallylongneckus and Brad Newly). Pretty good trade for the Cavs who netted two starting quality bigs for Battie. Four years later and Gooden would be a very solid player to put next to Howard to shoot and create some space. They don't need Battie because he does the same things Howard does, just much much worse. Not because Battie is awful, but because Howard is just that good. For us though, Battie is our best interior defender, and a veteran who'll make our perimeter defenders better look that much better. It'll make it put up or shut up time for Tyrus, but we've still got (ugh) Noc as a sort of back up plan... I guess. And oh yeah, he's signed to a very reasonable deal for this year and next, which gives us a bit more trade flexibility for the rest of this year and some continuity for next year. We still, of course, need to trade Kirk and Noc in the worst possible way, but it's at least a step in the right direction. For that matter, Noc or Hinrich for Battie and change would really float my boat as well.
Sounds like a win-win situation for both teams. If the Magic want to get past Boston they'll need more frontcourt help, which Gooden can provide. Question: Has a player ever been traded for the same player before?
