Orlando Magic Daily
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What’s left for Orlando Magic in the final week of the season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 31, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) reacts after a dunk by forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) reacts after a dunk by forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers, Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgo, Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) moves the ball down the court ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) and center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Lakers Pick

The other intrigue the rest of this season in the first round is whether the Orlando Magic will get the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2019 first round pick.

Orlando acquired a future first-round pick from Los Angeles in the Dwight Howard trade. It was top-10 protected, then top-five protected over the years it had not transferred. There was one catch, though. The Lakers owed a first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns first as part of the Steve Nash trade. The Suns since sent it to the 76ers in the Brandon Knight trade.

It is a top-three protected pick. If the Lakers finish outside the top three, the pick goes to the Sixers and the Magic get the Lakers’ 2019 first-round pick. And that pick is unprotected because it is the last year of the conditions on the pick.

If Los Angeles cannot forward the pick to Orlando by 2019, then the pick becomes two second round picks (one in 2017 and the other in 2018). Because of the Stepien Rule, a team cannot trade away first round picks in consecutive years. And so the Lakers have to lose the pick this year or else they cannot give it up in 2019 (it would go to the Sixers in 2018 and the Lakers would have to keep their pick in 2019).

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

So this is it for the pick. Either the Lakers send their pick to the Sixers this year and thus send the Magic a 2019 first round pick or the Lakers keep their pick this year and send the Magic the two second round picks.

Los Angeles has already clinched at least the third best odds for the Lottery. But a late four-game win streak has taken them out of the running for that second best Lottery odds.

Instead of a 55.8 percent chance at getting a top three pick, it appears the Lakers will have a 46.9 percent chance at a top-three pick. That is essentially better than a coin flip the Magic will get this pick from the Lakers in two years.

Los Angeles still plays the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors. Neither team has much to play for with the Pelicans already sitting their main stars for games. The win streak may continue.