Jan. 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In another Right Down Euclid and Speakeasy Sports collaboration, host Chris Manning is joined by Right Down Euclid editor and Speakeasy Sports editor to talk the NBA Trade Market. In this video, the trio discusses Dwight Howard, the Boston Celtics, Josh Smith and much more. Make sure to follow @RightDownEuclid and @SportsSpeakeasy on Twitter. 

I will give a quick synopsis of each team’s roster, some of their statistics from last year and why I think they will finish in the position that I predicted. Agree or disagree, stay tuned to RDE to see where your team lands in the 2012 Offseason Team Rankings.

Apr 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic forward Glen Davis (11) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) during the first half of game two in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

No. 14 — Orlando Magic (5th in Southeast)

2011-12 season: 37-29 (.561), third place in Southeast Division (8-7)

Offensive Efficiency: 102.4 (14th)

Defensive Efficiency: 101.7 (13th)

2012-13 roster:

G – Arron Afflalo

F – Gustavo Ayon

F-C – Glen Davis

G – Christian Eyenga

F – Moe Harkless

F-C – Justin Harper

F – Al Harrington

F – Josh McRoberts

G – Jameer Nelson

F – Andrew Nicholson

G – J.J. Redick

G – Ishmael Smith

G – Quentin Richardson

F – Hidayet Turkoglu

F-C – Mikola Vucevic

The offseason that the Orlando Magic had isn’t even worthy of receiving a letter grade. Handing out a grade of “F” at this point would be too nice of me. Although the Magic got rid of two of their biggest headaches from last season (All-Star center Dwight Howard and head coach Stan Van Gundy), they also set their team way back by basically leaving a gigantic hole in their roster. The Magic got squat in the Howard megatrade, but I applaud their efforts in pushing the Philadelphia 76ers to include forward Moe Harkless in the trade. The Magic added two young forwards in Andrew Nicholson and Harkless, who have a lot of unseen potential, but that was nowhere near enough compensation for getting close to nothing in regards to what they had to give up.

Look at how bad the Magic were at the end of last season when Howard was out with back problems: they lost 10 of their final 15 regular season games and only managed one victory in their opening series with the Indiana Pacers, which was an overall dismal performance on both ends. Glen Davis, who battled injury problems near the end of the season, is not remotely close to being capable of being an average replacement for Howard and Mikola Vucevic is the same way. The Magic, in my opinion, is losing the best defender in the Association and one of the most explosive big men to grace the NBA in the past decade. Rebuilding will be a long and difficult process, but having a new head coach in Jacque Vaughn, who has been taught by some of the best coaches in the NBA (see Roy Willaims, Doc Rivers and Gregg Popovich), will make things just a tad less difficult.

Still, I think the Magic will need to use the draft picks that they are stockpiling to rebuild their frontcourt and pick up better options in their backcourt. They don’t have any player on the roster right now fit to be a starting three, and with Jason Richardson being shipped off to Philadelphia, J.J. Redick is slated as the starting two guard. I love Redick and I never thought he would achieve the NBA success that he has so far in his career, but he is a much better option off the bench. Jameer Nelson is reaching the point in his career where his offensive production will be declining this season, so the Magic have a lot of work to do either via trade or through future drafts. With all the off-the-court distractions these past few months, I think the Magic don’t stand a chance when they suit up come November. They have too many inexperienced/aging players on their roster to have success this season.

Today we will be discussing the Cavaliers most recent free agency signing (hint: Michael Eric), which players are shoo-ins to be starters next season according to Byron Scott, when Alonzo Gee will accept his qualifying offer, how each team made out in the Dwight-mare and where the trade puts the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.

Cavaliers Corner

Mar 19, 2010; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Temple Owls forward Michael Eric (50) and Cornell Big Red forward Jon Jaques (25) go after the ball during the second half in the first round of the 2010 NCAA mens basketball tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Cornell Big Red best Temple Owls 78-65. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

First Question: What do you think of the Cavaliers signing free agent center Michael Eric?

Zachary Kolesar: I’m not sure I like this pickup, solely due to the injury risk that Eric brings to the table. The difference between the levels of worry with Kyrie Irving’s previous injury troubles and Eric’s previously fractured right patella is that big men like the former Temple Owl usually don’t come back 100 percent from most injuries. Irving may not be durable his whole career, but he can bounce back from injuries rather quickly without losing too much pop in his step. He averaged 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in the Cavaliers Summer League this year, and turned the head of Byron Scott.

Chris Manning: I like that the Cavs went out and signed a young center prospect. I don’t know much about Michael Eric, but he is 6’11 and you can’t teach size. The best part about this move is that the Cavs have a relatively deep roster up front. Currently signed to contracts are Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, Samardo Samuels, Tyler Zeller, and Eric. That may not be an elie group of players, but it is deep. As for Michael Eric, let’s see if he makes the team. If he does, let’s see what he can do. It wouldn’t shock me to see him the D-League playing for the Canton Charge come November.

Dan Pilar: He’s definitely a project player.  He played in an underrated conference in college at Temple who sent four teams into March Madness.  Reports out of Summer League have said Eric was really impressive on the defensive end of the court.  Despite only scoring four points a game, his effort on the defensive end was enough to win a contract.  I can see him sending most, if not all, of the season down with the Canton Charge. It sounds bad, but it would be a waste having his raw, athletic ability sitting on the bench every game. Send him down to the D-League and let him develop.

Jan 25, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao (17) is congratulated by point guard Kyrie Irving (2) against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Second Question: Byron Scott recently said that Anderson Varejao and Kyrie Irving are the only lock-ins to be starters this season. Do you agree or do you have other players in mind as well?

ZK: I think Scott is pretty accurate with his statement about Varejao and Irving. No other player on the roster, Tristan Thompson included, has earned a starting role. Thompson still has a lot of developing to do in his defensive game, a place where he struggled last season. I think he will make a great starter someday, but he needs to earn his role in training camp if he wants a starting spot come late October. This will make for a very interesting training camp, especially with it being a Byron Scott-run camp.

CM: This whole group should be a major storyline to follow this season. Seeing as Varajeo is the only sure starter, who Byron Scott has starting and getting playing time up front will be interesting to watch. I agree with that statement. Irving and Varejao are the only players that deserve to be declared starters, as they are the best players on the team. The Cavs also lost starters in Antwan Jamison and Anthony Parker to free agency and retirement, respectively. The roster is wide open, and so are the starting positions. If I were Scoot, my lineup would look like this: PG: Kyrie Irving, SG: CJ Miles SF: Omri Casspi PF: Tristan Thompson C: Anderson Varejao. These are the five guys who have seemed to been putting in the work all offseason, and also should be ready to play. If Alonzo Gee signs soon, maybe but him in for Miles, but that is the only change I would make. Rookie Dion Waiters is supposedly out of shape, and he thus should be eased in as rookie. Let Coach Scott ride him, and adjust him to the NBA, and then have him start.

DP: Scott’s comments don’t surprise me.   He is a tough coach who makes you earn every minute of playing time.  Nothing comes easy with him, just ask Samardo Samuels.  After Waiters performance in Summer League, he knows there is still a lot he needs to work on before the season starts.  I would imagine Tristan joining Kyrie and Andy in the starting lineup, but that may be by default.

Feb 3, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Alonzo Gee (33) attempts to dunk the ball over Orlando Magic shooting guard Von Wafer (1) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Third Question: Do you think Alonzo Gee will sign his qualifying offer and if so when?

ZK: I think that without question Gee will sign the $2.7 million qualifying offer that the Cavaliers gave him, even though he was looking for a long-term deal. No other team has expressed interest in investing in Gee, and he said he would most prefer to play in Cleveland. He likes it here, and I think he can win a starting job if he comes into training camp fired up about the C.J. Miles signing. I think sometime in the next 10 days is a fair guess.

CM: I have no clue if he will sign. I hope he does, and seeing as he has no other offers on the table, he kind of has to take it. And for this career, the sooner he signs it the better. He’ll get into camp on time, start working with the team sooner, and be able to focus on basketball. Gee should realize that if he has a big year this year, he’ll be in line for a big deal. He has to earn the money he wants, and the only way to do that is by playing basketball. His refusal to sign his contract also can’t be helping him in the eyes of the Cavs leadership. If they were happy with him, they probably wouldn’t of signed CJ Miles. So, overall, it’s in Gee’s interest to get into camp.

DP: Unless he gets a long-term offer elsewhere, which I don’t imagine he will, Gee will definitely be on the Cavaliers roster this year. I can’t imagine him missing any days in training camp over this, so I would imagine him waiting as long as he could up until training camp.

NBA Roundup

Fourth Question: How do you think each team made out in the Dwight Howard trade? 

ZK: I think every team besides the Orlando Magic “made out” in the Dwight Howard trade. I know they got a young talent that they pushed for in Moe Harkless, three future first round picks and multiple second round picks, but they didn’t get a player that will put them in contention for the playoffs like Pau Gasol. Instead they handed over Howard for no superstars. I think the Philadelphia 76ers had the best deal in the trade, gaining center Andrew Bynum. Center was a position that the Sixers didn’t have an elite enough player at.

CM: Every team did well except Orlando, which makes absolutely no sense. They gave up Dwight Howard, their first franchise player since Shaq, and got nothing in return. They didn’t even get protected draft picks. So, if I were to grade them, they would get an F. The Lakers obviously get an A for landing Dwight Howard, and creating a big three of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard. The Sixers also get an A for getting Andrew Bynum, giving them a young big man whose stats are very close to Howard’s when you break them down. Denver gets a C for actually getting a solid piece in Al Harrington and not just being ripped off like Orlando. So, overall, know this about the Dwight Howard trade: Orlando messed up big time. Orlando fans must feel so betrayed right now. Good luck selling tickets next season, Magic ownership.

DP: I think every team did great except the Orlando Magic, but that is what they get for waiting so long.  They received six players, and only two averaged more than 10 points for their NBA team last year. They dished out bad contracts, but they also brought in two pretty bad contracts with Aaron Afflalo and Al Harrington. They also received three first round draft picks and each pick will be in the mid to late 20′s. Those are not picks that can rebuild your team, just picks you can use as assets to trade up.

February 26, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Eastern Conference center Dwight Howard (12) of the Orlando Magic and Western Conference guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (24) battle for position during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center. The Western Conference all-stars defeated the Eastern Conference all-stars 152-149. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Fifth Question: Do you think the Howard trade puts the Los Angeles Lakers as favorites in the Western Conference?

ZK: I think that this trade makes the Los Angeles Lakers the team with the best starting five in the Western Conference. I know they have a pretty potent bench, but I don’t think the Lakers will be using their bench much. Steve Nash is one of the only players that can play the facilitator role, so he will be getting extra playing time. With that said, I also think the Lakers will make it back to the Western Conference Finals. Whether a team like the Thunder or Spurs can stop them will be heavily looked upon come the regular season.

CM: Forget the Western Conference – the Lakers my favorite to win the whole thing. The already play Oklahoma City tough, and adding Dwight Howard gives them an edge that the Thunder can’t match. When they play the Heat, whose going to defend Howard? Udonis Haslam? Dexter Pittman? I don’t think so. This trade puts the Lakers as the favorites to win the Larry O’Biren Trophy come June. The Heat are still the Vegas favorite at 2-1, but the Lakers are not far behind at 3-1. I cannot wait to watch any Lakers-Heat, Lakers-Thunder, and Lakers-Spurs game this season. All should be hard fought, and coming down to wire. But as I said, I think the Lakers should win it all this season. Kobe Bryant is going to get that sixth ring this season. Mark my words.

DP: This is a very good question.  They just added the most dominant center in the game and also added a two-time MVP point guard.  And to be honest I don’t think it will make them better than the Thunder. The Thunder have two good big men in Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka. Perkins has experience defending Howard when he was in Boston and was pretty successful.  They may finish with the best record at the end of the regular season, but don’t believe they will be able to compete with the athleticism Oklahoma City has, in the playoffs.

Make sure to check back next week to see what Chris Manning, Dan Pilar and Zachary Kolesar have to discuss at the “Weekly Roundtable.”