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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: It is trading season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) points after he makes a three pointer during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) points after he makes a three pointer during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves, Bismack Biyombo, Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
Nov 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) and Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) defend during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

By Muhammed Jumani (@mumujumani)

This has been a topic that fans usually love to talk about because talking about trades, at times, is pretty fun to do.

Why the Timberwolves do it: The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a disappointing season, to say the least. Their record as of right now, stands at an abysmal 17028, but with the eighth seed up for grabs in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves are only 2.5 games behind the eighth seed.

Yes, you read that right, they are only 2.5 games behind the eighth seed. The Timberwolves lack a true rim protector. Offense comes easy for them. The play fast, run the floor and play with tempo and have Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns who average a combined 44.3 points per game combined.

Tom Thibodeau has often noted Minnesota lacks a true veteran, and the addition of Ibaka and Meeks certainly helps that cause. The Timberwolves are 29th in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game, only ahead of the Chicago Bulls. Both Meeks and Ibaka can also help the Timberwolves in that regard.

Ibaka is a very special player in this league. He is one of the very few big men in the NBA who can shoot the 3-point shot. He also has improved in the post, he has a lethal mid-range jumper and he can protect the rim at a very elite level. Ibaka has the rare ability to do all those and any team would love to have a player that can simply do it all.

He would fit very well with a tough defensive-minded coach in Tom Thibodeau.

Yes, you may be wondering, “Why would the Timberwolves trade to get a rental in Ibaka and Meeks for a proven guy like Zach LaVine?” That is because this move gives the Timberwolves more flexibility in the upcoming offseason. They are getting rid of the absurd contract of Nikola Pekovic (two-years, $23.7 million remaining). He has been very injury prone and has played only 43 games combined the last three NBA seasons. His injuries have a possibility of ending his career.

Also, Ibaka may be the missing piece that lifts the Timberwolves to the playoffs.

This move would give the Timberwolves about $15 million more in cap space. They currently have $28 Million in cap space for the upcoming offseason, this trade would give them around $43 Million total to spend in the 2017 offseason.

Why the Magic do it: The Magic rank 25th in offense in the NBA by points per game. The Magic need a lot of help on offense.

With a proven scorer, such as Zach LaVine, he can take the Magic to another level. The Magic’s youth movement was abandoned a season ago, as they traded away a young Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo for veterans in hope of making the playoffs. LaVine, only 21 years old, partnering up with Aaron Gordon would be a very fun treat to watch.

The Magic will be getting a proven scorer in return for a proven veteran Ibaka. It is a long shot, but one worth taking if the opportunity arises.

This would also create more opportunities for Mario Hezonja. Aaron Gordon would move to the 4. And the minutes will open up for Mario Hezonja at both the 2 and the 3, assuming Evan Fournier starts at the small forward spot. Jeff Green would likely also get the remaining minutes at the 4 as he would backup Gordon.

The Magic’s playoff hopes are going down the drain. They can hope for a spark as a result of this trade and pick up some wins to push them to that eighth seed, or they can go the tanking route for the remainder of this season and get a decent pick in the draft and start fresh next season.

Both scenarios sound like a good long-term and short-term solution for the mess the Magic have traded.

The Magic would have to take a salary cap hit as they would indulge a very horrible contract of Pekovic. But, with a player like LaVine on their roster, it very well may be worth the hit. This would also help the Magic in marketing, as they would undoubtedly sell more tickets and capture the belief of the fans once again.

The Magic can also make up for the head-scratching trade they made this offseason when they sent Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the 11th pick in exchange for Serge Ibaka. A player like LaVine has the potential to develop into an All Star at some point during his career, and that is exactly what the Magic have been trying to get in their rebuild the last five seasons.