Orlando Magic: Four Players to potentially target in an Aaron Gordon trade
By Seth Arora
Why It Must Be Gordon
If the Orlando Magic are going to trade one of their primary players, it has to be Aaron Gordon for practical reasons.
The Magic have a notorious logjam of big guys, most of whom the organization hopes will play a big role in the team’s future.
Nikola Vucevic was an All-Star last season and inked a four-year deal in the offseason. Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba were drafted early in the first round, possess clear potential (especially if Mohamed Bamba’s recent play is any indication), and are still learning the NBA game.
Another is Chuma Okeke, a project who happens to play Aaron Gordon’s position and is redshirting this season. Chuma Okeke is there to build depth, but the Magic have already collected plenty of young utility wings who play either forward position.
As for other big men like Al-Farouq Aminu and Khem Birch, the team simply will not acquire the scoring punch it desperately needs with either of these players being the focal point of any trade. That is not to say that they could not be included in any trade, just that they would not be the big fish.
Some may think there are other, better candidates to trade instead of a two-way player like Gordon. But when looking at the roster, Gordon simply seems like the odd man out.
Live Feed
Nugg Love
Nikola Vucevic, for all of his defensive limitations, can score from nearly anywhere on the court and is a premier center. Bamba has struggled, but it would be awfully early for the team to bail on a high draft pick like him, especially when he is now showing himself capable of carving out some role on the team with his improved recent play.
The team has rightly dubbed Jonathan Isaac untouchable–what else is there to say about his defensive impact?
That leaves Gordon.
Now in his sixth year at 24 years old, the vocal contingent of fans patiently trumpeting the wait-and-see approach seems to have quieted, as he still makes the same ill-advised offensive plays he made at points of his earlier years. Patience may have worn thin — or time may have run out as the Magic have financial decisions to make and a team to fill out.
He does well when sharing the court with Vucevic, but that is about it.
The Magic’s net rating worsens when he shares the court with other players of its future and improves when he is off the court altogether.
That was not the case in years past but the numbers strongly suggest that those waiting for the “Gordon leap” may have to simply wait for the color and name on the front of his jersey to change.
And for the Magic to bring someone in his place. However, constructing a deal or finding the right player in this market could prove difficult.