Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2021: Time for the reset

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James Harden, Houston Rockets, Dwayne Bacon, Orlando Magic

James Harden’s move to the Brooklyn Nets upended the league and reminds the Orlando Magic how difficult it is for them to plan and trade. Mandatory Credit: Michael Wyke/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

Category I — Sure you can have them

18. Karim Mane (Two-way contract)

Karim Mane was OK but not spectacular during the Lakeland Magic’s run to the G-League title. He averaged 5.5 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game in starting all 15 games in the Gubble.

The Magic signed him as a long-term project anyway. But it probably is not super great to hear Steve Clifford say that the team does not feel he is ready for NBA minutes and that his development would be served best by watching and experiencing NBA preparation at the moment.

It is not clear whether the Magic will continue this two-way experiment with Mane next year. But they seem willing to try for a little while longer.

17. Chasson Randle (Two-Way Contract)

Chasson Randle has had more than a cup of tea in the NBA since the 2017 season. The Orlando Magic are his fifth team since he came to the league. And unfortunately, he just has not been able to make his mark consistently. Randle seems destined at his current growth to be a forever-two-way player — too good for the G-League but not up to snuff in the NBA.

Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

The Magic have had to rely on him heavily with their injuries at point guard. But he has not done to make an impression. He is averaging a career-best 6.0 points per game. But the Magic are opting to go with other playmakers late in games — Aaron Gordon is essentially the late-game point guard when Michael Carter-Williams is out.

This was Randle’s best opportunity for sure and it feels like he is coming up short.

16. Gary Clark (2 years, $4.1 million, non-guaranteed in 2022)

Last Year: 14

The Orlando Magic bet on continuity to try to shortcut this season and that included using what little free agency capital they had to retain players from last season. Gary Clark was fine last season when the Magic were desperate for any kind of depth. He was critical in Game 1 of the playoffs.

But like that playoff series, everyone around the league has learned or correctly bet on Clark’s inconsistency. The Magic again have had to play Clark too much. And while his defense is at least a little bit reliable, his shooting has been so inconsistent that it is hard to call him the stretch-4 the Magic need. Clark is not likely to have his contract picked up next season as the Magic begin to shift their roster.

15. Dwayne Bacon (2 years, $3.5 million, non-guaranteed in 2022)

The Orlando Magic signed Dwayne Bacon to a minimum deal hoping to have a good spot-scorer to bring off the bench. They never imagined they would be relying on him so much this season. Fortunately for them, Bacon has been a lot better than advertised.

With the increased playing time, Bacon has shown a solid ability to get into the lane and hit tough shots off the dribble. He is a solid driver and even his 3-point shooting has been better than expected — 33.6-percent. His career-best 10.2 points per game is as much a product of his increased playing time.

That has also put all his weaknesses on display. He has 16.3 passes per game, the fifth-fewest among players who average at least 20 minutes per game. Bacon is always looking to score and his efficiency there is not always the strongest.

The Magic have been forced to start him and he has delivered with some solid raw numbers. That might convince the Magic to keep him around past his August 9 deadline (or three days after the moratorium) to guarantee the second year of his deal.