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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 28: New Year’s Resolutions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics on November 24, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

From Chris Cloumassis via e-mail:

"1) Should Magic fans be worried about Aaron Gordon walking away at the end of this season? 2) Is there any chance Mario Hezonja stays on after this season? 3) Who would be your top 3 “untradeable” players on the Magic roster?"

Every so often I get a question exactly like this one with some confusion about Aaron Gordon’s status as a free agent or some concern that he may just up and leave the team because they did not sign him to an extension.

I think Magic fans should rest a bit easier when it comes to Gordon.

The way Gordon has played this year has been nothing short of stupendous. He took a leap in his game everyone has been waiting for and it looks like he can continue to get better. If there was any doubt before, Gordon has laid it all to rest. He is a big part of this team’s future. His effort and energy have been fantastic.

The concern entering the season was whether the Magic would be willing to pay him a max salary — as someone surely would offer.

Averaging 19.2 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game and shooting a 56.2 percent effective field goal percentage, it is safe to say Gordon has potential All-Star written all over him and will get his max contract from the Magic.

I see Aaron Gordon’s free agency going very similar to Tobias Harris‘ free agency in 2015. Eventually, the Magic and Gordon will agree to some extension whatever the number is.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Even if Gordon signs an offer sheet, because he is a restricted free agent, the Magic have the right to match. That might lead to some issues later on down the road — see Gordon Hayward with the Utah Jazz — but I do not think the Magic get there. I think Gordon stays on the Magic next year no matter what. He is key to what they are trying to build now.

I answered the question about Mario Hezonja in a previous slide here — I see a virtually zero chance he returns and it is more that Hezonja wants out than the Magic do not want him back.

But the question of who are the most “untradeable” players on the roster is a more interesting one.

This year was meant to be an evaluation year where president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman figured out what worked and what did not for his team. He needed to plot his future with the moves he made at this early stage of the building.

At this point, I would say only two players have made that cut — Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Their potential to continue growing and their fit into what the future of the NBA looks like are abundantly clear. they are the two most important players on the team.

It is hard to pick out anyone else who is completely safe. Gordon and Isaac are certainly the only two that seem untradeable. The only other untradeable piece to me is the 2018 first round pick . . . and probably the 2019 first round pick too.