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Orlando Magic Wish List: Three moves the Orlando Magic should make

By Zach Palmer

Jun 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan addresses the media regarding the first round draft pick Victor Oladipo and second round draft pick Romero Osby during a press conference at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan addresses the media regarding the first round draft pick Victor Oladipo and second round draft pick Romero Osby during a press conference at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Magic Sign Center DeAndre Jordan

So now you are probably under the impression that I have completely lost my mind.

Listen, I have made it no secret that I do not believe Nikola Vucevic is the kind of center this team can win championships with. The era of the finesse scoring center that cannot play defense is over. Of the 16 teams in the playoffs, only the Brooklyn Nets start a center that is renowned as a defensive liability.

From a contractual standpoint, the Magic would likely have to offer DeAndre Jordan a max contract, but I believe that he would be worth the cost.

Jordan is the perfect fit for this team. He rebounds (NBA rebounding champion this season at about 15 per game), blocks shots (fourth in blocks per game at 2.2), and he does not need the ball in his hands on offense (usage rate of 13.3 percent).

While Jordan’s moniker as a defensive anchor is somewhat overstated, he is a massive improvement to Nikola Vucevic. Jordan allowed opponents to shoot 48.5 percent at the rim compared to Vucevic’s 53.7 percent.

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    • One of the most impactful things the signing Jordan would do is free Orlando’s offense. With Nikola Vucevic being the focus of Orlando’s offense at times, it takes the ball out of the hands of Orlando’s most talented players, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton. With Jordan inserted into the lineup instead of Vucevic you allow Orlando’s youthful backcourt to do what they do best, make plays with the ball in their hands.

    Sure, there will be questions of what Orlando should do with Vucevic but I do not see why Orlando cannot trade him to a team like the Thunder who could use him as a cheaper alternative to Enes Kanter.

    (Dream Scenario: Orlando offers Kawhi Leonard a max contract and San Antonio does not match)

    Next: The Orlando Magic Sign Reserve Guard....