Orlando Magic Daily
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Plenty of point guards may be available for Orlando Magic in trade market

By John Black

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Jerian Grant #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball while guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on October 22, 2018 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Jerian Grant #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball while guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on October 22, 2018 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Terry Rozier, Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 27: Kyrie Irving #11 and Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics speak during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 27, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The unofficial trade market opened December 15. The Orlando Magic may look to make a move for a point guard before the February 7 deadline.

The Orlando Magic are off to a better-than-expected start to their 2019 season.

Despite having a slightly losing record at 14-15, the Orlando Magic currently sit in a tie for seventh with the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference. For a team that featured a lot of the same cast that won just 25 games last year, it is quite the leap forward.

And, according to ESPN, the Magic have played the 10th hardest schedule in the league so far. All things considered, Orlando is right where it wants to be with the chance to continue improving and growing with a run of home games to end December.

First-year coach Steve Clifford has instilled a work ethic and drive in this group of players that previous coaches have failed to do. The Magic have reason to believe they can take advantage of this stretch of the schedule.

While Orlando seems much improved under Clifford’s tutelage, their season has had its ups and downs. Orlando lost six of its first eight, won seven of its next nine and then lost seven of the next 10. That gets the team to its current win streak. It feels like the Magic have seen feast or famine.

As the season draws on, the Magic will be looking for more consistency to make a push for the playoffs.

December 15 marked the unofficial opening of the NBA trade season as players signed during the offseason were now trade eligible. All of a sudden, the Magic find themselves in a position to make a move to improve the team more immediately.

Either way, they could focus on the point guard position as a means to improving their short- and long-term outlook.

While D.J. Augustin has been outstanding this year, some argue he may still be better suited as a backup.

Entering the open trading season the Magic should not necessarily look for an immediate replacement for D.J. Augustin. Rather, they should look to shoring up the position’s depth.

The experiment with current backup Jerian Grant has not panned out as the front office had hoped. Orlando should look to target a young player Augustin could mentor as his backup, but also perhaps as a one-day point guard of the future.

There should be plenty of point guard options available to them if they fish through the market.