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Orlando Magic: The 2019 NBA Trade Deadline presents impossible decisions

By Zach Palmer

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Weltman and John Hammond of the Orlando Magic during practice on November 17, 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 - NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Weltman and John Hammond of the Orlando Magic during practice on November 17, 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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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 25: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on January 25, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Countdown to decision day

Coming into the season, it was fair for fans to assume trading Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline was something that was bound to happen.

Neither player, especially Nikola Vucevic (because of the drafting of Mohamed Bamba) seemed to figure into the Orlando Magic’s future plans. Trading both of them would have returned Orlando some assets and Orlando would have continued building toward the future in typical Magic fashion.

But both these players’ emergence and the Magic as a semi-competitive team has completely shifted fans’ perceptions of the team’s trajectory and potentially the front office’s perceptions as well.

The desperation to make the Playoffs for the first time in six years would provide a major boost to the franchise and lend it legitimacy. Trading away two key players would hurt that cause.

What once seemed a no-brainer decision has turned into a game of chicken between the Orlando franchise and the trade deadline.

The Magic are attempting to navigate an incredibly difficult balancing act. Currently, the Magic are straddling the fence on whether or not to trade Vucevic and Ross.

Only 3.5 games out of the Playoffs, the Magic have a legitimate chance to make the postseason. But Orlando has plenty more high-pressure games to play before the deadline to make that decision.

A brutal stretch at that.

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Magic play four teams that would currently be in the playoffs. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves, who the Orlando Magic play on trade deadline day, are outside of the Playoff position (just three games out though) on the Magic’s schedule for the next two weeks.

It seems likely the Magic will let these games decide what route they are going to take in terms of buying or selling at the deadline.

Based on the Eastern Conference’s overall weakness, the Magic will likely still be right in the thick of the playoff hunt. The Orlando Magic are caught in the middle — 3.5 games from the Playoffs, but four games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks and the other “tanking” teams.