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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Midseason misgivings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 15: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic looks on during game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 15, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What is the first player the Orlando Magic should focus on moving on from to reconfigure this rebuild?

Rossman-Reich: Realistically (sorry no one is taking Bismack Biyombo‘s contract), I think the point guard question is the big one to solve. But Evan Fournier is probably the player the Magic need to move most. Fournier can play off the ball and I think he can be a supporting player elsewhere. But I do not think he would do that here — that is the problem with a lot of players on this roster. Evan Fournier to some extent is blocking some of Aaron Gordon’s growth on the ball and late in games. He is also the guy who could probably net the most for this team overall. Fournier is not a bad player — I have encountered confusion on this — but he is not the player the Magic need. It might be time to free up those possessions despite his value to this team.

Scricca: Evan Fournier is the only player on this team signed through 2021 (he has a player option). Moving him would ensure flexibility going forward. He also probably has more trade value than anyone on this team besides Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac because of his shooting ability, age and contract.

Henderson: Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic need to be the first two shopped around so the organization can build around Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Payton has been a disappointment during his tenure, to say the least, for a lottery-pick point guard. He is a backup point guard at best on a championship level team and has yet to show that he can be a championship level starting point guard. And Vucevic has shown the ability to play at a high level but has never made an All-Star team in a weak Eastern Conference. He may be able to start on a championship level team but will never develop into a first or second option on a championship-level team. And for that reason, the Magic should let him go and explore other options.

Palmer: Elfrid Payton is the only right answer here. Payton consistently causes Orlando’s defense to fall apart with his constant roaming and poor rotations. On offense, teams do not fear him from deep and leave him wide open which shrinks the floor for Orlando’s other players. Yes, he has improved his shooting. No, it has not made an impact.

Flynn: It has to be Evan Fournier. Bismack Biyombo’s contract is next to unmovable due to his offensive limitations. Fournier has shown to be productive and can shoot the 3-pointer which is more valuable than ever. As I said earlier, there has already shown to be a market for him so the Magic may be in a position to steer the franchise in a new (hopefully right) direction.