Orlando Magic: 3 thoughts on hypothetical Russell Westbrook trade

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Orlando Magic Russell Westbrook (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

3. Point guard situation fixed for now, but no plan for future in place

Russell Westbrook will be better than any point guard the Orlando Magic could draft likely for the remainder of his contract, so the move is aligned with their win in the present contract situations.

But the long-term plan with the Magic is to have Markelle Fultz hopefully fix his shoulder issue and be the lead guard for the future.

In this scenario, Fultz is gone, and a first-round pick to replace Westbrook down the line also parts with Orlando. This move would put everything into the current team — with many of the key players locked in for four years — and leave no room for future development.

Fultz may not be the prospect that was expected in a No. 1 pick, but he is still a player that has a massive ceiling and is only 21 years old.

The NBA is about striking the balance of staying relevant while maintaining a bright future, and the Magic would have some semblance of that in this deal, but once again would have no future guard of the future.

Fultz may not be the answer and this would be a blessing in disguise to get him off the roster, opening the door for Orlando to sign another free agent when their cap space opens up in 2023 to pair with their young frontcourt. But Fultz is the answer for the time being, and is the plan, albeit risky, moving forward.