What it will take for the Orlando Magic to move their key players
Evan Fournier
The most immediate deadline for the Orlando Magic is with Evan Fournier. Fournier will become a free agent at the end of the season after picking up his player option for the 2021 season. He has delivered so far with a season that is matching last year’s season. All while dealing with back spasms that have knocked him out of the lineup for extended periods of time.
It is only two recent struggles that had Evan Fournier’s scoring average dip below his career-high of 18.5 points per game set last year. Regardless, Fournier to this point has matched his season from last year.
He was always miscast as the team’s primary perimeter creator and scorer. He was thriving with Markelle Fultz taking on more of that role. And that certainly suggests Fournier could fit in well if he were moved to a secondary or tertiary role.
It is no coincidence that Bobby Marks of ESPN ranked Fournier as one of the most valuable trade chips on the market this year. He is also the one player on the Magic’s roster that the team has no leverage in trade negotiations for.
Do not expect a great return. At this point, the Magic are going to be trying to get as much as they can for him.
What are the Magic looking for then?
Live Feed
Daily Knicks
The ideal trade might be a similar deal to what Orlando got for Fournier to begin with. Trading a still productive Arron Afflalo for an unproven, but promising Evan Fournier was a brilliant move from Rob Hennigan (yes, he had a few, especially early in is tenure as he was merely collecting talent). That was the right time to cash in on Afflalo.
The Magic should be hunting for something similar. They should be seeking some player who can potentially fill that starter spot in the short-term — Fournier’s $17-million salary is going to require finding a player with some salary heft to make the trade work. But the real prize could be a secondary player or a young player the Magic view as some building block for the future.
The Magic, like during the last offseason, should be looking to make moves with purpose. They should be looking to bring in players who will help support and grow this team in the next few seasons.
There will undoubtedly be a market for Fournier. The Magic will not be able to get everything they want. But they should still be focused on getting something that helps them move forward.