Over the past weeks, there have been heated debates how the Mavericks might be able to use Jerry Stackhouse’s non-guaranteed contract as trade bait to bring more talent to Dallas. Likewise, Toronto Raptors’ GM Bryan Colangelo has been busy figuring out a deal to create cap space and preserve the MLE after making a verbal commitment to Hedo Turkoglu. More specifically, it looked like the Raptors would have to renounce all restricted and unrestricted free agents in order to create the necessary cap space.

Thus, the Mavericks and Raptors were able to agree on swapping Jerry Stackhouse and Shawn Marion provided they could figure out a way to reduce Toronto’s pay roll through the trade. Since both teams are over the cap, it was necessary to involve a team under the cap for being able to trade players without salary figures having to match. While most experts considered such a move a very difficult trade to pull-off, Marc Cuban and Bryan Colangelo made things even better by involving the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies to facilitate a complicated deal involving four teams.

Ultimately, it was agreed upon sending Shawn Marion to Dallas and Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto through sign-and-trade. In exchange, the Magic will receive cash considerations from the Raptors and Mavericks as well as a $9 million trade exception. Moreover, Toronto will get wing players Antoine Wright and Devean George from the Mavericks while sending center Nathan Jawai, forward Kris Humphries and some cash to Texas. To make the trade work, Memphis will ship Greg Buckner to Dallas and receives Jerry Stackhouse, Toronto’s second round draft pick and cash considerations from the Raptors.

On first glance the trade looks fairly complicated, but it solves many issues for the teams involved. On one hand, the Toronto Raptors keep the rights to resign their free agents regardless of their cap situation and will also get the Mid-Level Exception, Bi-Annual exception and LLE. Thus, they have the opportunity to re-sign Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker if they wish, plus another $12 million to sign other free agents over the summer. Similarly, Antoine Wright has proven to be an excellent perimeter defender that could come in very handy for the Raptors. Dallas on the other hand adds Shawn Marion to their roster, giving them an excellent starting five consisting of Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki and probably Marcin Gortat. As for the Magic, they get some cash and a significant trade exception to facilitate further moves instead of simply losing Hedo Turkoglu through free agency. Although Memphis did not need the trade as badly as the other teams they still benefit by getting rid of Greg Buckner and receiving cash and a draft pick, provided they waive Jerry Stackhouse.

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