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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 19: Everyone is thinking about it already

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) to score during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) to score during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic
Nov 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

From Andrew Chavez, via Facebook:

"So my question is if we don’t make the playoffs this year and Serge doesn’t resign with us, which direction do the magic go trade off the team and rebuild or build off the team we already have with free agents regardless if we keep Rob?? Thanks Andrew."

This is not a scenario anyone wants to think about when it comes to this Orlando Magic team, but it is one the team and its fans have to be prepared for. What happens if this Playoff gambit fails? What direction do the Magic go?

The next two months will determine this direction and the Magic’s ultimate trade deadline strategy.

Let’s say the Magic keep Ibaka and believe they can make the Playoffs come February and then miss it.

In this scenario, the team probably faces some questions but works to re-sign Ibaka and then trade off assets that do not fit to build a better team. Assumedly they keep whatever players they trade. In this situation, the Magic are hoping for internal growth to improve and get in 2018.

Let’s say the Magic keep Ibaka and fall well short of the Playoffs. Then things probably get stickier. How do the Magic rebuild?

Part of that, again, depends on whom they acquire at the deadline. Take on too much long-term money and the magic are stuck with the team they finish the season with.

I suspect the Magic will try to hedge their bets. They will not take on too much long-term money in case things do fall apart and fail this season.

I do not believe the Magic will commit to a full rebuild again. It has been four years since they made the Playoffs and there is a growing appetite to get to the postseason sooner rather than later (obviously).

Barring getting a top-3 pick, the Magic are going to turn to veterans and try to trade their way back to relevance or pick up players in free agency again. The path is very uncertain. Really either way. The hope is making the Playoffs, or just missing it, will show signs of growth for the team to get better in 2018 and attract some new free agents.

Outside of that, I cannot really chart a clear path for the Magic moving forward.

Next: Aaron Gordon keeps things simple in big game

That will do it for this edition of the OMD Mailbag. Have no fear, there are more questions to clear out and I will get to them before the end of the month (I hope)! Feel free to keep submitting questions to me on Twitter @omagicdaily or @lockedonmagic and you can always e-mail or submit questions for future mailbags at omagicdaily@gmail.com.