Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Trade Grades: Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon deadline deals

By Max Mortenson

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at Amway Center on January 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 29: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at Amway Center on January 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Trade Grade: C

Of the three moves the Magic made today, the return for Aaron Gordon seems the least substantial.

Maybe Gordon’s public request decreased his asking value because the rest of the league assumed Orlando had no choice in the matter. Some of these rumors are unsubstantiated, mere gambits by agents and teams.

Regardless, Gordon is more valuable than a package centered around a young development project and an overpaid shooting guard with an inefficient outside shot. If either R.J. Hampton develops or Gary Harris regains his shooting form, this trade becomes a solid piece of work on Orlando’s part.

After a slow start to the season and setbacks due to a couple of different injuries, Gordon has shown strong form through 25 games this season. He’s averaging 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his spot time at point forward, including 37.5-percent on 3-pointers.

His 43.7-percent overall field-goal percentage is less than stellar, but this should improve in a Denver system with a plethora of offensive creators.

Of course, Gordon’s greatest value comes from his defensive flexibility, one which will need to be filled by Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton and Jonathan Isaac next season.

With a year-and-a-half remaining on his deal, the Magic did not have to trade Gordon now, but they likely believed his play thus far in 20221 and the extra half-season on his contract afforded them the best possible opportunity to capitalize.

The 2025 first-round pick is top-five protected, meaning there is a high probability it conveys to Orlando if Denver continues to compete atop the Western Conference standings.

Where the franchise goes from here is largely dependent on their ability to pick well in the 2021 draft and beyond, and on the development of Hampton and Carter Jr. Additional production out of Porter Jr. or Harris is an added bonus.

Now we turn our attention to the remainder of the 2020-21 season and beyond. What will this iteration of the Orlando Magic look like?

Next. Magic restart with a clean slate after deadline moves. dark

We’ll start to receive some answers Friday night when the Orlando Magic host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Amway Center.