The Orlando Magic are a shell of their former selves, especially after a promising hot start. While injuries have played a major part in the Magic’s disappointing season, one cannot help but feel like the current roster’s days are coming to a close.
Aaron Gordon was reported to have requested a trade which does not necessarily mean that the Magic need to trade him but sure points to a deal coming one way or another. It more so means the chances of him being on the team after Mar. 25 have lessened dramatically.
The Houston Rockets are among the teams that are reportedly discussing a trade package including at least two first-round picks. Other teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have been linked to Gordon for some time now, have been regularly connected to the Magic forward.
Whether or not the Magic decide to pull the trigger remains to be seen but it is essential that in whatever trade they make, they get a suitable return.
Although the Magic broke their nine-game losing streak with a win against the Brooklyn Nets, they were unable to capitalize on any momentum with a loss to the Boston Celtics.
The Orlando Magic’s season has gone completely off the rails and everyone senses a breakup. The team is and should be shopping several key players with their eyes now firmly on the future.
Since the start of the season, the Magic have not won more than four games in a row. That in itself is telling of the Magic’s struggles with consistency.
Even though Nikola Vucevic has put up career numbers, without help from Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon, the team has been unable to get the ball rolling.
While there have been a few bright spots, including promising plays from first-year forward Chuma Okeke and Mohamed Bamba (despite Steve Clifford’s confusing reluctance to play the former lottery pick), a break-up seems imminent.
Sure, one could say we still have not seen the full team playing together due to the injuries of Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz. But complacency may become the Magic’s worst enemy.
Building around Vucevic, Bamba, Isaac and Fultz could be the Magic’s best chance of getting back to at least a .500 team. Especially with the emergence of teams like the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic will have more competition in the East.
Making net positive trades while teams are calling will be in the Magic’s best interest.
Now, who the Magic will trade is the question. Should the Magic hold onto Gordon and perhaps look for something in the offseason? Have the Magic soured on the idea of Bamba? Or do the Magic decide to run it back?
Regardless of what the front office decides to do, do not discredit the amount of work and effort that all the players contributed. Through COVID-19, injuries and trade rumors, the Magic have unquestionably shown their character and commitment to the game.
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.
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.
Khem Birch
Khem Birch is solid. Very solid.
Averaging 5.4 points, one assist and 5.2 rebounds marks a career year for the Canadian center. He has been Steve Clifford’s go-to guy off the bench and has averaged 20 minutes per game in 41 contests.
His growth as a screener and as a hustle player is sure to have impressed teams across the league who are always in need of a low-cost center.
Birch is making $3 million this year and will become a free agent this coming year. His trade value is perhaps the highest it has been his whole career. The Magic should capitalize on this opportunity.
Teams like the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets and even the Golden State Warriors are in need of a center like Birch so he may be on the move at the deadline.
Not only will the Magic be able to pair Khem Birch in a trade for a more impactful player, but this would make way for Mohamed Bamba.
Bamba has proven, in limited minutes he is ready for a bigger role. Clifford’s reluctance to play the former lottery pick continues to boggle the minds of fans but with the Magic in a tailspin, a prime opportunity has arisen.
Trading Birch will allow the Magic to fully assess what they have in Bamba and whether or not they want to keep or trade him. His per 36 minutes stats are promising. 16.2 points, 3.2 blocks, 13.8 rebounds. While his three-point shooting is questionable (28.1-percent), he has value. The third-year center simply needs time on the floor to gain rhythm and confidence.
Where the Magic choose to go at the deadline is unknown but maybe trading key players will give the Magic the freedom they have so desperately needed.