Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: Mid-season Mailbag

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live, I reviewed the team’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and answered your mid-season questions.

The Orlando Magic will reach the season’s midpoint after Tuesday’s game and it has been a rough go of things for much of the season.

The team’s promising hot start showed the team could be something more. . . and then a nine-game losing streak followed by injuries and more injuries and then another nine-game losing streak.

By Christmas, it seemed everyone was already looking toward the Lottery and the season was lost. The Magic have the second-worst record in the league and are, indeed, looking closely at the Lottery and the ping pong balls the rest of the way.

It is frustrating for sure. The last 41 games seem relatively devoid of meaning — the Magic would have to finish on a 58-win pace to reach .500 again. And after five years of rebuilding, the fact the Magic seem to be starting over again is the worst part.

But the games will continue and there is still plenty to learn. There is still plenty to gain from the second half of the season. And there is still a future to plan and sort through.

Orlando will be continuing its evaluations of its roster and planning the future for the team. It will continue to figure out which players fit the team’s future and which ones it is time to move on from. And February’s trade deadline will play a big role in that as the first time president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has to make a huge dent in the rebuild and this roster.

These are the questions roiling around the fan base as we enter the season’s midpoint. Who stays? Who goes? What direction do the Magic head?

On this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live, I answered some of your questions about the Magic and their upcoming path and future. A full Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag is on its way later Monday or Tuesday:

On This Episode:

  • Recap of the Orlando Magic’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers
  • The simple things are the reason the Orlando Magic are struggling to gain consistency
  • What is an identity and why the Orlando Magic do not have one yet?
  • Aaron Gordon and Wesley Iwundu had fantastic nights Saturday
  • Aaron Gordon must be the focal point of the team moving forward this season
  • Are the Orlando Magic missing Terrence Ross?
  • How the Orlando Magic can find the foundation for their rebuild?
  • Jeff Weltman’s tight “evaluation” message in his interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel
  • Do the Orlando Magic have an issue in transition?
  • Can the Orlando Magic trade into a second lottery pick?

Like I said, I will be back late Monday or early Tuesday with a full Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag answering your questions about the team. You can always drop me a line on Twitter @omagicdaily or by e-mail at omagicdaily@gmail.com.

Next: Finding Jonathon Simmons' shot

Be sure to join the Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live on our Facebook page every Sunday at 12 p.m. ET!  Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.