5 matchups to put the Orlando Magic on national TV

5 Orlando Magic games for national TV

Magic vs. Bulls

The Orlando Magic made three transformative trades at the trade deadline last March. Orlando faced all three of those former players last year, but only Evan Fournier returned to the Amway Center before the season ended.

So the returns of both Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic will be dates Magic fans have circled on their calendars — maybe for different reasons considering Gordon’s comments since arriving in Denver as well-meaning as they might have been.

The return of two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic will be an emotional one for everyone involved. Vucevic spent nine seasons with the Magic, one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history, averaging 17.6 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Vucevic is one of the best players in franchise history. There is no debating this, even if he does not have the team record that should put him in the pantheon.

His first return to the Amway Center should come with its own tribute video and recognition from the crowd.

The team Vucevic is bringing with him is certainly one that is creating some intrigue. This is not the same team the Magic shocked in Chicago for one of the best wins of their 2021 season.

The Bulls have another All-Star in Zach LaVine and they added DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball this offseason. Chicago is all in to return to the playoffs this year.

Orlando is still very invested in Chicago’s future — and Chicago doing poorly. The Bulls still have to send the Magic their pick in 2023. And so Chicago is hoping to do enough to keep LaVine past this season when he becomes a free agent.

The clock is ticking for the Bulls.

This might not carry much national intrigue. But this will be a big day for the Magic on several levels when Vucevic returns to the Amway Center.