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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 12: I can haz winning? Gess nawt

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 14, 2016; London, United Kingdom; The Orlando Magic mascot performs during the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Global Games at The O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Leo Mason-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; London, United Kingdom; The Orlando Magic mascot performs during the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Global Games at The O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Leo Mason-USA TODAY Sports /
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Channing Frye, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 11, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) passes the ball during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

To answer the first question: Fiction.

As I noted in my trade deadline preview, the Magic are in a difficult situation right now. Yes, they are trying to win and trying to make the Playoffs. But they are not completely sold out on doing so. I do not think they are going to make any deals or trades just for the sake of making them or just to make the Playoffs this year.

Even though the Magic are struggling right now, sitting at 20-24, I think they are decently happy with where they want to be and the progress they have shown. They are not about to give up on any player long term unless it helps them in the long term.

The focus on roster building with two or three years down the road, makes it difficult to see them making a deal at the deadline. Typically it feels like deadline deals are teams looking for some short-term relieve or improvement trading away long-term investments.

If the Magic do anything, it would likely be trading Evan Fournier for some long-term piece (a young player with some promise that they can grow a bit and can contribute to the rotation) along with a veteran who can help in the short term. The only reason they would trade Fournier though would be if they know they will not be able to re-sign him.

The only other assets another team would want are part of those long-term players the Magic want to keep around. And Fournier may still be in that group.

Their options are limited unless a team is ready to unload a star or do a deal the Magic feels like is a home run for them both in the short and long term.

So I think the Magic wait for the summer to make any major roster decisions. The market should be better with teams thinking about improving their rosters and the disappointment of missing out on free agents and what-not.

The Magic have learned a lot about their core, I think they will be in better position to make decisions on some of those guys after this season ends.

That includes the up-and-down Victor Oladipo too.

I do not think you ever deal a player like Oladipo just to deal him. Especially at this point of his career. His struggles are a big part of him figuring whether he can be a star in this league. He definitely still believes it — which can be both good and bad.

Oladipo is probably not going to be traded this year, no matter how bad he plays. There just is no urgency to deal him, nor should there be. He is starting to return to his mean some and he still has a ton of value.

That star potential is clearly still there and is beginning to peak its head out. Whether he can be a star is still another question.

Essentially trading him right now also sends a signal to the league the Magic are matching any offer on Evan Fournier. I do not think the Magic are quite at that stage with Fournier yet. Nor are they ready to give up on Oladipo. So they can keep both for the time being.

Next: Disrespecting Victor Oladipo?