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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic will acquire Jarell Martin from Memphis Grizzlies

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for a dunk against the Orlando Magic on December 26, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for a dunk against the Orlando Magic on December 26, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic quickly moved Dakari Johnson, acquiring Jarell Martin from the Memphis Grizzlies. He could fight for a rotation spot.

The Orlando Magic will acquire Jarell Martin and cash from the Memphis Grizzlies, trading recently acquired center Dakari Johnson, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. The Magic will also send the Grizzlies the draft rights to Tyler Harvey.

Like the deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, acquiring Johnson for Martin helps the Memphis Grizzlies save money. The deal brings the Grizzlies under the luxury tax.

Unlike that deal from Friday, the Magic may have acquired a player they may keep and use on their roster this season.

Martin was selected with 25th pick in the 2015 Draft but struggled to find consistent playing time with the Grizzlies’ competitive roster. He finally got some time on the floor last year and showed some intriguing skills.

He played in a career-high 73 games and averaged 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last year. It was good production for the increase in minutes. But Martin still leaves a lot to be desired. It is fair to say Martin has not lived up to his first-round billing. He has yet to find his niche in the NBA.

The big key for Martin will be to improve his efficiency. Martin shot just 44.6 percent from the floor last year and has never shot better than 45 percent. That is tough for a player without good 3-point range.

Martin is a big body at 6-foot-10 and has some defensive skills. But expectations for him should be fairly low. He is likely more of a fringe NBA player and a role player of the bench at the most.

The reality for the Magic is they need some help at power forward. And that creates an opportunity for Martin.

Aside from Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, there are no natural power forwards on the roster. And the expectation is for Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac to start at the two forward spots. That could have meant players like Mohamed Bamba or Khem Birch had to platoon at power forward. That would not be ideal.

Martin is at least a decent young option to try at power forward for the team. He has just one year left on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent. It may cost the Magic a little bit more, but it is a low-risk move to try a young guy in a new environment.

That seems worth it. Especially since the Magic turned a player they probably would not be able to find time for and another player who did not fit the current roster into him. And the Magic acquired cash to offset their salary in the meantime.

Next: Offseason Manifesto: What to do with the final roster spot

It appears to be a shrewd move. And at least, the Magic have a guy they could see as part of the rotation or give him a chance to get in the rotation while giving up virtually nothing.