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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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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Sergio Rodriguez, Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 2: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Sergio Rodriguez #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

From Mark Garry via Facebook

"While [Nikola] Vucevic & [Evan] Fournier aren’t All-Star caliber players, do you see one or both of them getting traded for a better defender at shooting guard or center???"

Definitely a lot of trade questions here. I sense a lot of Magic fans probably know what we all know: For the Magic to compete seriously, they will need to add an All Star somewhere. So I think that is where a lot of these comments are born from.

Yes, the Magic will at some point have to combine some of this depth and high-salary players to turn it into . . . someone. I still think Gordon can take the leap and flirt with stardom (it may be another two years, but a strong year this year would get him to earn that contract).

I have handled the Vucevic trade market pretty hard in this mailbag (feel free to go back and read that commentary). Fournier is a bit of a different animal.

Fournier is a productive player, so I do not think he is as untradeable or difficult to move as Biyombo. But he will be difficult to move. Some team will have to believe in him or be willing to take him on. And the Magic are not likely trading him unless they need his salary to match.

Essentially, Evan Fournier might be in the same situation Arron Afflalo was when he was traded in the Dwight Howard trade.

I am not sure who that player is right now. I do not think a trade market has developed quite yet. This is true for both Fournier and Vucevic.

I do not see the Magic seeking out center help in a trade, though. Orlando is going to have a tough time moving Biyombo and so the idea of trading Vucevic would be more to give Biyombo the starting job.

Of course, Orlando should be looking to improve the team’s roster and talent base in general. The Magic are not going to hold onto anyone just to hold onto them. If they can improve the roster and it makes sense for the team they are looking to build, they will take it.

But I do not think anything is imminent. And I think the market will develop much closer to the trade deadline. So save those trade questions for then!