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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 55: Offseason and trade winds

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 29, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) celebrates after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Thunder defeated the Kings 131-116. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) celebrates after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Thunder defeated the Kings 131-116. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic made some major changes in the offseason this summer. On this episode of the OMD Podcast, we break down those moves and what they mean.

The Orlando Magic have officially hit offseason mode. Their major moves are done and the roster is virtually set heading into next season. The breakdowns and questions to be asked as the Magic try to make the Playoffs this season have begun.

It was a very busy summer. The busiest summer of the Rob Hennigan era.

Orlando spent their money, bringing in Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin in free agency. They cashed in some assets, trading Victor Oladipo for Serge Ibaka and dealing away Tobias Harris during the season to set off the offseason spending spree. The team looked to add depth and build an identity.

It is still yet to be seen whether the Magic were successful in these efforts. That is what the season is for.

But they have raised a ton of question and a ton of interest in the season. The Magic have set their sights squarely on the Playoffs and have pushed their chips to the middle to get that goal accomplished.

The Magic have a glut in the frontcourt now. They are looking for several of their young players to step up and take a more featured role. There are a lot of questions to answer about this team.

The biggest question is solving that frontcourt glut and finding out the best way to use Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka. That might include one day very soon moving Nikola Vucevic, who might be the most movable and tradeable player on the team. He may also be someone who does not fit the team’s new identity.

There are a lot of questions about this team now obviously.

We have tried to begin answering these questions and figure out ways to make the Magic a better team. On the latest edition of the Orlando Magic Daily Podcast, staff writer Ryan Doyle joins the staff to chat about the Magic’s offseason, where it leaves the team and what the trade market for Nikola Vucevic might look like:

On This Episode:

  • Did the Magic make the right call pushing their chips in and making such drastic change?
  • What is the ideal use for Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon together with this big man rotation?
  • What is the team’s new identity? Can it get them to the Playoffs?
  • What is Serge Ibaka’s role on the team? Can he take a step up?
  • Is Rob Hennigan facing a make-or-break season for his tenure? Does he still have the Magic on the right track?
  • Should the Orlando Magic trade Nikola Vucevic? How can he stay with the team and help the Magic’s new identity?
  • Can Bismack Biyombo step into a larger role?
  • How much value does the Magic’s depth have?
  • Where is Evan Fournier best?

Be sure to check out the Orlando Magic Daily Podcast, part of our daily Locked On Magic show, over on iTunes by searching for “Locked On Magic.” If you subscribed to the old Orlando Magic Daily Podcast feed on iTunes, it should download automatically. You can also find Locked On Magic on AudioBoom and Stitcher.

Next: Orlando Magic's quest for relevance can be a minefield

Be sure to follow Ryan on Twitter @rdoyle27 and check out his latest post for Orlando Magic Daily breaking down some of the proposals around the Web for Nikola Vucevic.