In the first of possibly many salary cap related deals, the Denver Nuggets traded recently acquired swingman Ron Mercer, hometown guard Chauncey Billups and former Orlando Magic first round pick, Johnny Taylor to the Orlando Magic for forward Chris Gatling, defensive specialist Tariq Abdul-Wahad and a 1st round pick.

"It's a business," said Gatling, obtained in an offseason trade from Milwaukee in a deal that sent Danny Manning to the Bucks. "I don't know that it's set in yet. I just played my heart out on the floor and came in and found out I've been traded. I'm excited. Denver has a young team. they're trying to do the same thing there that they're trying to do here."

Gatling is a stone scorer. He's a great 6th man who can play all three front court positions. He has been shopped by the Magic ever since he was acquired from the Bucks before the season, as his salary of $4.5 million for next year is contrary to the Magic's desire to clear cap space. San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Detroit's Grant Hill, Toronto's Tracy McGrady and Charlotte's Eddie Jones all could be on the market this summer. The Magic also have two first-round draft picks, their own and one from Golden State, which should be a lottery selection. By trading back Denver's first round pick, most likely a mid to low level pick, they are rid of a guaranteed contract as well.

After acquiring Mercer from the Boston Celtics before the season for, the Nuggets were pushed to deal him before the NBA trading deadline rather than risk losing him this summer in the free-agent market. Mercer has asked for the league maximum, $70 million over 6 years, which has scared off now two teams, Denver and Boston. It seems likely that the Magic will pay this sum, because they lack a true scorer and a marquee player ever since they traded away Anfernee Hardaway to the Phoenix Suns.

Mercer will team up with the Magic's Darrell Armstrong to create one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA. Mercer's ability to slash to the hoop and create his own shot made him a very desirable commodity. Chauncey Billups, draft three positions before Mercer in 19976, has been traded three times in his short career. Drafted by Boston, traded to the Raptors in the Kenny Anderson deal and then to Denver, Billups has never found his niche. He does not have requisite point guards skills, and is considered too small for shooting guard. He will back up Armstrong, and swing between the one and two positions. Johnny Taylor was a throw in for salary cap reasons.

Gatling gives the Nuggets another scorer up front along with Antonio McDyess and Raef Lafrenz. Gatling will provide scoring and depth, but has a reputation as a malcontent. Tariq Abdul-Wahad was acquired from Sacramento for Nick Anderson before the season, and had settled in nicely as the second or third scoring option. On his new team, his new role will be more like his old role on the Kings, providing occasional scoring, but clamping down on defense. With McDyess, Lafrenz and Gatling up front, and Nick Van Exel and George McCloud in the back court, the Nuggets will have trouble having enough touches for everyone. Getting the first round pick back from Orlando doesn't mean much, as Denver is already stocked with young talent waiting to mature. It is likely Denver will package some more players and that pick for at least one more deal.

Usually the team who acquires the best player wins the deal, this rule still holds, Orlando got the better of his deal, if and only if they can resign Ron Mercer. But this is one of those deals that helped both teams. The best player by far in this trade is Mercer. Orlando got him cheap. But it will cost them in the off-season. Orlando will now have to ante up $70 million for a player who has never been to an all-star game, never taken his team to the post season, and has a never shot higher than 45% from the floor. Billups will add depth to the Magic. He is still very young has shown flashes of brilliance. On Orlando, he won't have to carry much of the load with Armstrong and Mercer forming the starting backcourt duo. Gatling is a vastly under-appreciated talent. Besides looking kind of kooky in with that headband, he can score and rebound. He was an all-star in 1997 and will enough time on the floor, could easily become one again. With Lafrenz and McDyess playing the power positions, Gatling will have to work for playing time. Abdul-Wahad is a great defensive player who will help a weak defensive team. Mercer isn't known for his defensive prowess.