Los Angeles Lakers resting veterans hurting Orlando Magic
The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to rest former All-Star Forward Luol Deng and big man Timofey Mozgov for the remainder of the season. This is impacting the Orlando Magic in a negative way.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic were part of the Dwight Howard mega-deal that took place in 2012. There were a number of moving parts in that deal, principally Howard moving to the Lakers. The Magic received Nikola Vucevic in that deal along with several draft picks, including one from the Lakers.
The pick from the Lakers has not conveyed to Orlando. And, per the terms of the deal, this is the last year the Magic can receive that pick before it turns into two second-round picks. That is because Los Angeles has yet to convey another pick to the Phoenix Suns (and then to the Philadelphia 76ers).
Los Angeles traded a first round pick to the Suns in the Steve Nash trade (it was later sent to Philadelphia as part of the Brandon Knight trade). That pick has yet to convey and is top-three protected for the upcoming draft.
That timeline runs concurrently to the pick sent to the Magic. NBA rules prohibit teams from trading picks in consecutive drafts. And so, Orlando was set to receive the pick two years after that Phoenix pick was transferred.
Obviously, the Lakers thought they would be competing for championships and the protections on that Suns pick would not matter much. It turns out they did.
So the scenario is simple now: The Magic will capture the Lakers’ 2019 first round pick if the Lakers fall outside the top three in this year’s Draft Lottery, sending the pick to Philadelphia.
If the Lakers are able to obtain a top-3 pick this season, then that would result in the Magic receiving two second-rounders, one for 2017 and another for 2018.
The Magic, obviously, are hoping the Lakers fall outside the top 3, because that would give the Magic an unprotected 2018 first rounder. But it will not be easy.
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reports the Lakers are shutting down center Timofey Mozgov for the remainder of the season. A couple days later, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Wednesday that Luol Deng is also expected to sit out for the remainder of the season.
Orlando Magic
With those decisions from Lakers’ management, it can be seen they are ramping up and creating playing time for their young players. And they appear to be ensuring a high pick in the lottery, which will take place on May 16.
The Lakers have clearly struggled the last couple weeks. They have an abysmal 1-9 record in their last 10 games, and a current four-game losing streak entering Sunday’s games.
The Lakers are currently the second-worst team in the NBA. It is safe to say they will most likely be locked at that spot to end the season. The second worst record locks in a 55.8 percent chance at a top-three pick.
Many Magic fans are upset the Magic are not shutting down their veterans, such as Jeff Green, C.J. Watson and Jodie Meeks. That would create playing time for young players, such as Mario Hezonja and C.J. Wilcox. Orlando “trails” the Lakers by 4.5 games from the fourth spot in the Lottery.
Next: Orlando Magic's suffering will make success sweeter
But the Magic want to build a “winning culture” as the Magic look to build for next season after this disappointing season.