Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Ups and downs
Marc Stein, ESPN.com
156. J.R. Smith’s long-term absence is an undeniable issue. Depth is a legit worry, as well, because the Cavs now have two roster spots filled by players who can’t help them (<strong><a rel=. (23-6). Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 1. team
64. The alarm bells sounded loudly in Motown early last week, when the Pistons responded to a players-only meeting by surrendering 69 points in the first half to the struggling Bulls and wound up getting throttled by 31 — when Chicago was coming off of its own 26-point smoking by Milwaukee. Volume on the Pistons’ struggles with ball movement and cohesion since the return of <strong><a rel=. (14-18). Previous: . Detroit Pistons. 20. team
team. 38. Most rival executives expect the Magic to rank among the league’s most active teams between now and the Feb. 23 trade deadline; <strong><a rel=. (14-18). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 21
86. The fact that the Wolves were one of 10 teams scheduled to play on Christmas Day — for the first time in franchise history — tells you everything you need to know about the sort of expectations outsiders had for this team coming into the season. Going on to lose the game is hardly heinous, knowing that a road date in Oklahoma City is no gimme, but Friday’s home loss to Sacramento still stings, given that the Wolves wasted <strong><a rel=. (9-21). Previous: . Minnesota Timberwolves. 22. team
The Orlando Magic really have made no secret of their intentions to be active at the trade deadline. Rumors are already popping up and there are certainly more to come — what gets reported is only a fraction of the conversations that actually take place at any given trade deadline.
The trade options are obvious though. Orlando has had some frustration with Elfrid Payton’s inconsistency. And Nikola Vucevic is a player who can produce on a team-friendly contract. They will see if they can improve the roster while dangling those players.
But there are signs of things coming together. So do not expect the Magic to make a move any time soon. They can afford to let things play out.