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Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Trade showcase time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) blocks Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) during the second half at Amway Center.Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) blocks Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) during the second half at Amway Center.Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Moore, CBS Sports

team. 41. This team is the most adaptable of any team in the league. Their rim protection was bad? Kevin Durant has become a weak-side flyswatter and their schemes have tightened. Steph Curry was more of a nice garnish than the centerpiece? He’s moved back into being the main engine of the team, averaging 28.6 points, 6.6 assists and shooting 50 percent from both the field and the perimeter over the past five games. As if beating the Warriors wasn’t hard enough this season, they continue to methodically address their weaknesses.. (41-7). Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1

26. team. 69. They’re almost through a nightmarish stretch of schedule and they managed to find wins against Cleveland and San Antonio. But time is running out, they can’t expect all five teams hanging around for the 8th seed to continue to smack themselves in the face.. (19-29). Previous: . New Orleans Pelicans

(19-31). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 27. team. 38. Nikola Vucevic is in the 91st percentile on Synergy Sports defensively, and the Magic defense is five points better with him on the floor. He made the game-saving block on All-Star <strong><a rel=

team. 66. False alarm on that “the Suns are kind of feisty all of a sudden” thing. Turns out that was fake ne….. nope, I just can’t.. (15-33). Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 28

The biggest surprise this season has been Nikola Vucevic’s emergence defensively. It has rendered the Bismack Biyombo signing moot. Unfortunately, it appears the Magic will have to live with that decision. Biyombo is simply too difficult to move while still getting good value. And plenty of future iterations of the Magic could succeed with Biyombo as a defensive anchor — with maybe Aaron Gordon at the 4.

So, Nikola Vucevic is the one who gets pushed around in trade rumors. The Magic are at least exploring the possibilities once again. This is not the first time his name has popped up in trade rumors.

The only bad part is that this is the time he seemingly least deserves it with the strides he has made to improve his biggest weakness.