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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 25: What comes next?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks on February 11, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks on February 11, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs
SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic high fives his teammate Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 29, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Magic’s moves this offseason created a ton of logjams all over the roster. It is tough to find minutes for a lot of players — including some newcomers. Arron Afflalo seemingly pushes Mario Hezonja out of the rotation. And Wesley Iwundu is going to have a tough time scratching minutes.

Adding Marreese Speights and Khem Birch has created a ton of depth at center. Not to mention Bismack Biyombo and his $17 million contract remains on the bench behind Nikola Vucevic.

Everyone is quick to believe a trade is coming . . . soon.

I am not sold on that. I think the Magic are happy to go into camp with depth and let them battle it out for playing time. But that does not mean something will go down inevitably.

Ever since the Magic acquired Bismack Biyombo, the clock started ticking for Nikola Vucevic. Or for one of them, at least. There was no way the Magic could keep both. They both want to be starters and only one can.

Vucevic is eminently more movable. He has one year left on his contract after this season and his production still outperforms his contract. So I think Vucevic will be in trade rumors once again when they pick up.

The reality is not many teams are looking for offensive-minded bigs who struggle on defense. The market is oversaturated with them — from Greg Monroe to Jahlil Okafor to Enes Kanter. The benefit the Magic have is Vucevic is on such a team-friendly deal. He may go to the front of the line.

But right now, I cannot say what the Magic could get for Vucevic. This is mostly because I am not sure what the Magic want.

Are they looking to package together some players to get a star like Kyrie Irving or a quasi-star like Eric Bledsoe? Are they looking to consolidate players to add some depth? Do they trust Speights to play backup center?

I do not have answers to those questions right now. So I would say with Vucevic the Magic will keep an open mind. But the plan is likely to have him in camp and treat him as the incumbent starting center.