Orlando Magic Daily
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Who stays, who goes? Spelling out the future of the Orlando Magic

By Sam Skubala

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 7: Aaron Gordon #00 and Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic high-five during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on March 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 7: Aaron Gordon #00 and Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic high-five during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on March 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Willy Hernangomez, Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets’ Willy Hermangomez (41) pulls the jersey of the Orlando Magic’s Bismack Biyombo (11) in a battle for a rebound at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, April 6, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

The Immovable Objects

There are two players on the Orlando Magic roster who would be certain “go” candidates if not for their nigh-immovable contracts.

The first of these is center Bismack Biyombo, whose $17-million-per-year-deal is not so much an albatross but a leviathan. The 25-year-old has failed to live up to expectations since signing his 4-year, $72-million deal back in 2016. He has even found himself slip behind rookie Khem Birch in the Magic’s rotation.

Severely limited on the offensive end, Bismack Biyombo’s vaunted defense has failed to come to the fore. Opponents have generally had their way with him on the inside, shooting 57.1 percent at the rim.

His saving grace is that he is a defensive upgrade over starting center Nikola Vučević, although the statistical differences are negligible and the team actually has a worse defensive rating per 100 possessions with Biyombo on the floor as opposed to Vucevic.

With two years remaining on his deal, it is unlikely any team would even think about touching Biyombo, even if the Magic threw in a sweetener.

The other player is D.J. Augustin, who has perhaps been one of the Magic’s strongest performers this season.

The veteran point guard is averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 assists in 23.6 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 44.9 percent from the field and an impressive 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. His per-36 numbers are even more impressive, with figures of 15.6 points, 5.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds resembling those of an average starting NBA point guard.

But the numbers belie D.J. Augustin’s limitations. He is a poor defender, and he often struggles to run the offense. Even when he scores the ball well, he struggles to get others into the flow of the game.

But, on balance, he has been one of the Magic’s better performers. Based on his on-court play alone he would firmly be in the ‘stay’ category. Especially if the Magic can return him to a more preferred backup role.

That said, it is instead the 30-year-old’s four-year, $29-million contract that has had a negative impact on the team’s salary cap. With two years remaining, it will be difficult to trade a player who may otherwise be a solid late-season pickup for a championship-contending team.