Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 27: A new future for the Orlando Magic

From Jonathan Leonard, via comments

"Such an exciting start to the season! With that said, which players are most likely to be traded?"

And with the team losing, trade season has quickly become the favorite pastime for Orlando Magic fans. How does this team get better?

First, it should be noted, it is still very very early to speak specifically about any trade. NBA teams are not going to get into any serious trade talks until after the Dec. 15 deadline — that is when players who signed contracts over the summer are eligible for trades. Even then, teams will procrastinate and wait for the trade deadline in February. Keep that timeline in mind.

But what are the Magic targeting and what might they dangle? That is definitely a conversation worth having. A conversation that will evolve as the season goes on.

The overall strategy will focus on the long-term. They are not going to go for some short-term fix or take on any long-term money just to make the Playoffs this year. That was a mistake of the previous management group.

Orlando will look to bring in players who fit a long-term vision and will be part of the team long term. The Magic should not be looking to tie their books up (I described earlier how cash-strapped the Magic are waiting on their extensions) unless it is a player who will be part of this team for years to come. At least not in a  major move. And I think everyone can sense the Magic need to consider some major shakeups.

I think Nikola Vucevic is squarely on the trade block. So too is Terrence Ross (more for his contract than any dissatisfaction with his play). Those two players might be the primary players on the trade market once it opens up.

So what are the needs the Magic have?

Obviously, the team is looking for a star player. It is clearer and clearer each game that the Magic’s defense needs a reliable rim protector to anchor their defense.  Vucevic has improved a lot as a defender the last few years, but his positioning is inconsistent and the Magic are one of the worst teams giving up points in the paint.

And obviously, the team is looking to get more consistent play from their point guard. This was a big prove-it year for Elfrid Payton. And Payton’s injury has slowed him down. But it is not good when a little knock can seemingly take him so far out of rhythm that he goes from the centerpiece of the team’s offense to a negative.

It is not looking like the Magic will re-sign Payton. And the toughest thing the Magic have to do is find a replacement starting-level point guard. That task is very difficult to do.

So the focus for the Magic looking for improvement is to get a rim protector and consistent point guard play. The same as it always was.

Just like the team needs to find a go-to scorer and “star” player. T

The funny thing about this season is that the team’s needs have hardly changed. They have made small improvements and look better overall than they did last year (even in some of these recent defeats). But the larger overarching issues for this team have not yet been addressed.

It was hard for Jeff Weltman and company to do that with how hamstrung they were with the cap. It will be hard to do that again this summer.

So Orlando’s goals need to be to find little ways to improve. Or to clear cap room and be smart with how they use it.

Next: Aaron Gordon's time at small forward valuable

Thanks everyone for the questions! You can always interact with me in the comment section here on Orlando Magic Daily or by following on Twitter @omagicdaily. Until next time. . . HAPPY THANKSGIVING!