Orlando Magic Daily
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Five trade deadline targets for the Orlando Magic

By Ricky Scricca

Dec 8, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) drives as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) drives as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wilson Chandler

Nearly 10 percent of the Magic’s possessions involve a pick and roll where the roll man gets the ball – good for the highest rate in the NBA. They are also the second-worst team in the league at converting these plays.

The Magic need a better roll man, and the highly versatile Wilson Chandler could be their answer.

Not only can he finish at the rim, but he can also hit pick-and-pop jumpers and because of the attention he demands as a shooter. He can also be a huge threat to slip screens.

Another reason the Magic are so inefficient at finishing the pick-and-roll is that a lack of credible shooters permits defenses to freely collapse in on rolling bigs. Even if Chandler does not act as a roll man, having him lurking on the perimeter forces defenses out to contest.

When they do contest, Chandler still hits. According to NBA.com, when a defender is “tight,” Chandler’s shoots 31.1 percent from three – better than Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

His ability to catch and shoot would also be useful for the Magic, who run handoff plays like this all the time.

Additionally, Chandler is a long (6-foot-8 with even more wingspan), athletic, and high IQ defensive player who can defend in isolation – even though he is not quite “elite,” the Magic could feel reasonably good about him getting switched on to almost any kind of player.

Playing him and Aaron Gordon together could work very well as both are highly versatile defenders whose offensive skills complement each other.

While Gordon is not exactly the best shooter, Chandler consistently demands attention when he spots up or comes off a screen beyond the arc. When Gordon gets screened away from his man, Chandler as a 4 is much better suited than Serge Ibaka to guard a wing player.

Again, the Nuggets will likely be looking to bolster their frontcourt defense so to swing Gallinari or Chandler the Magic have to prepared to lose Serge Ibaka. Other pieces might need to be thrown in to match salaries, but Chandler has a lot to offer Orlando on both ends of the floor.