Magic acquire G Alston in three-team deal

Feb 20, 2009 - 1:30 AM ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The transition to the post-Jameer Nelson era has not been an especially pretty one for the Orlando Magic. But at the eleventh hour, they've taken a big step to remedying the situation.

The Magic acquired point guard Rafer Alston from the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal that also included the Memphis Grizzlies, who sent guard Kyle Lowry to the Rockets.

To complete the deal, Orlando dealt Brian Cook to Houston, while Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks and a 2009 first-round pick were sent to Memphis.

"Rafer is a starting veteran point guard who shoots the ball well," Magic general manager Otis Smith said. "He will give us added depth and athleticism in the backcourt. We thank Brian, Adonal and Mike for all of their contributions and wish them all the best."

Nelson, who was selected to his first career All-Star Game this season, went down with a torn labrum in his right shoulder earlier this month. He had successful season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday and will rehabilitate for four to six months.

The Magic are just 3-3 without Nelson, including an embarrassing, 117-85 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.

The discipline that Nelson brought to the table and the balance he created between Dwight Howard's inside game and the team's proclivity for long-range shooting had been visibly missing. Fill-ins Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue hadn't quite done the trick.

In Alston, the Magic received a 10th-year veteran who has quarterbacked playoff teams in Houston for the last two seasons. He has had an up-and-down 2008-09 campaign, averaging 11.5 points and 5.4 assists while shooting just 37 percent from the floor.

Lowry, a third-year combo guard out of Villanova, had fallen out of favor in Memphis in recent weeks as Mike Conley solidified his hold on the point-guard spot to team with leading scorer O.J. Mayo in the backcourt. He is averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 assists.

Cook, Foyle and Wilks were little-used members of the Magic.