Orlando Magic: Four Players to potentially target in an Aaron Gordon trade

Where Orlando Goes from Here

The Orlando Magic are in the midst of a massive scoring drought. Each night, the Magic’s offense lacks that critical element every team needs: scoring.

As simple as it sounds, for Orlando, it is more complicated than brain surgery.

That failure on one of the floor almost certainly leads to frustration and lapses on the other end. This team’s calling card is its defense but the players are human beings. If they see continued defensive effort fail to translate into a lead or fail to prevent a deficit, it’s easy to check out.

Finding the consistent scoring spark has been the story of the season for the Magic so far. It is becoming abundantly clear the solution does not currently reside anywhere on this squad, so it is natural to look for potential trades to bolster the team, balance out the roster and raise the ceiling and overall outlook for the organization.

Aaron Gordon is now the elder statesman, his potential trumpeted throughout every offseason and “The Leap” always just around the corner. He has worked hard for the Magic and has made improvements since coming into the league.

Still, the trajectory seems to have fizzled out and both he and Orlando may simply need a change to unlock the next level.

Orlando Magic

Each of the four players the Magic should at least consider in a swap for Gordon possesses unique scoring skill Orlando sorely lacks. DeMar DeRozan is the master of the mid-range, Jrue Holiday slices a team up with drives while remaining a three-point threat, D’Angelo Russell always seems one second away from hosting a three-point party, and CJ McCollum is a lethally refined scorer from the mid-range and three-point territory.

Each has its own setbacks and poses risk for Orlando if the team was able to trade for any of these players. DeRozan cannot shoot and could bolt after a year. Holiday is having a down year and his heavy usage the past two seasons may have simply fried his efficiency away for good. Russell is inefficient and questionable on defense. McCollum may not be the playmaker Orlando needs.

Nevertheless, Orlando’s glaring weakness at times seems to sometimes glare brighter than direct contact with the sun. The team needs scoring.

The logjam of big men possesses other skills. But to win in the NBA, you have to make shots and this iteration of the team does not get it done.

Gordon should always hold a special place in the hearts of Magic fans. He re-signed with the team and grew as a player under the Orlando banner. He turned his raw athleticism into an identity of a reliable defender still searching for his calling card offensively.

Still, sometimes, things run their course. It happens everywhere but it happens often in the NBA. The Magic may need to use Gordon’s value to inject the team with some scoring.

It may just be time.