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Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: Looking ahead to the trade deadline

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 18: Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman addresses the media on July 18, 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)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 18: Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman addresses the media on July 18, 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) /
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The Orlando Magic face a critical trade deadline as the chance to change the roster comes into focus. On the Facebook Live, I break down what to expect.

The week has finally come. It is trade deadline week in the NBA. The rumors and the innuendo are going to fly and finally come to some fruition. Things will happen, one way or another.

As general manager John Hammond put it, now is the calm before the storm. In the day or two prior to Thursday’s deadline, things will pick up considerably. The frameworks for deals will begin to emerge and turn into actual deals.

Orlando Magic fans have eagerly awaited this moment. It is Jeff Weltman and John Hammond’s first real opportunity to reshape the roster into what they want. The Magic have had a rough season no doubt. Everyone seems eager for change.

The change will come with the draft first and foremost. But Orlando will have to make other changes to the roster. The trade deadline will be that first opportunity.

Already, trade season has dug up some major rumors and some discomfort for Magic fans. The latest rumor that Orlando at least gauged interest in Aaron Gordon around the league had fans worried the team was giving up on its budding star. At this point, with the worst record in the league, the Magic have to make sure no stone goes unturned.

There is a lot of promise at the trade deadline. Even with the team’s limited resources. And the work will move on into the summer. The Magic have their work cut out for them to improve the team. There is a lot of work to do.

And everyone has their eye on Thursday and the trade deadline. After that date, the team’s summer is set. The plans for the future get set in motion.

It is a time of excitement and apprehension for sure. But the Magic know change must come. And that change must begin sooner than later. The team’s struggles this season are a definition of that.

So what is in store this week at the trade deadline? What frameworks for a deal exist? And who might be on the move?

On this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live, I addressed the upcoming trade deadline and where the Magic might head. I broke down some of your proposed trades and who the Magic might be ready to move on from.

On This Episode:

  • The Orlando Magic were unable to maintain momentum in a loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
  • Evan Fournier‘s off nights are leading to Orlando Magic losses.
  • The opportunity in front of the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline and what their goals should be.
  • The Orlando Magic gauged interest in Aaron Gordon on the trade market. What are the Magic looking for then?
  • Understanding how rumors come about and what to believe ahead of the trade deadline.
  • How will coach Frank Vogel integrate returning players into the rotation and keep Khem Birch and Mario Hezonja in the rotation?
  • Who are my favorites for the Orlando Magic in the Draft?
  • What are the Orlando Magic’s goals in a trade? Who are the kind of players they are looking to get in return?
  • What teams are there a framework for a deal already?
  • Why what the Orlando Magic acquires is more important than sending out players right now.

Next: Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Isaac inching closer to return

Be sure to join the Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live on our Facebook page every Sunday at 12 p.m. ET!  We will probably start a bit earlier this week because the Magic play Sunday afternoon. Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.