3 Orlando Magic players most likely to be traded at the deadline
By Isaac Ryu
Evan Fournier
Similar to Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier is having a great year and has attracted several teams. His shooting and playmaking ability is what made him so good alongside Nikola Vucevic when healthy. But now that the Magic are entering a mini rebuild, moving Fournier may be what is best for the team.
Fournier has historically been an effective shooter. Only once did Fournier shoot worse than 36-percent from three and he has consistently shot around 45-percent from the field.
Teams like the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks are in need of a player like Fournier to gear up for a playoff run. His ability to pass and create on and off the ball makes him a valuable pick-up for playoff teams, especially those who are two to three players away from finals contention.
But as previously mentioned, getting a positive return will be the Magic’s goal in making trades this season.
Fournier will not get as much of a return as Gordon but still should require teams to give up at least an established bench player. Especially from teams like the Mavericks, who aren’t particularly rich in assets right now, the Magic will need to find the right suitor.
Fournier will make $17 million this year and become an unrestricted free agent next year. This means that teams may be unwilling to part ways with a significant draft pick or a promising young player like Josh Green from the Mavericks.
Hopefully, the Magic are able to keep their eyes on the prize. Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac and Nikola Vucevic. Build around them and you will at least have a play-in tournament team.