3 Orlando Magic players most likely to be traded at the deadline
By Isaac Ryu
Aaron Gordon
As a New York Knicks fan myself, the initial idea of trading Kristaps Porzingis appalled me but looking back, the Knicks are in a far better place without him.
Perhaps it is time for the Magic to part ways with Aaron Gordon.
If you think Gordon should not be traded, here is why you should reconsider.
Gordon is having a career shooting year. His effective field goal percentage has jumped from 48.4-percent to 51.9-percent and his 3-point shooting has improved by almost ten percentage points. His value is the highest its been in recent years.
And with a year left on his deal, the acquiring team will have a full season to evaluate whether to retain him. He is not a mere rental.
Perhaps it was good for the Magic to lose almost every point guard they had on their roster because Gordon has been able to show off his playmaking. Gordon is averaging 5.2 assists per 36 minutes which is a career-high by a whole assist.
Gordon is a player that you would want on your team. While teams will not be running Gordon as their backup point guard as the Magic did, he is clearly capable of running basic sets.
Pair Aaron Gordon with D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves would find themselves with an enticing young trio.
On Orlando’s side, they should be posturing for next year rather than looking at the play-in tournament. Making a first-round appearance only to be blown out and having lost value on a Gordon trade would be a waste.
Getting at least a first-round draft pick and a capable starter should be the minimum asking price. Jeff Weltman has to have the future in mind and build up a young yet experienced foundation around the Magic’s core players.