Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2022: Preparing for the next steps
Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2022
Category II — If they weren’t injured, maybe
15. Michael Carter-Williams ($3.3 million, 1 year)
Last Year: 12th
The Orlando Magic still have to have a soft spot for Michael Carter-Williams.
He was such a key part to boosting the team to the end of the 2019 season and helping them break that playoff drought. He was a good instigator and gave the team an edge they needed. He and coach Steve Clifford just meshed so well.
The disappointing part of Carter-Williams’ tenure with the Magic has been all the injuries he has suffered keeping him from getting on the floor. Whether it was a shoulder injury or just nagging injuries throughout the year, Carter-Williams never could stay on the court. That has been the story of his career.
This year might be the end for him, unfortunately.
Carter-Williams suffered an ankle injury last last season that cost him the final month or so of the season. He opted to have surgery on his ankle very late in the offseason. And Orlando has not seen him at all this season.
The Magic, notorious for not giving injury updates, have not given any injury updates on Carter-Williams and it is not clear at all how close he is to returning — he was shooting around with the team at least when they were in Charlotte a few weeks ago.
For sure, the team could have used his edge on the court to help carve out the defensive identity they want.
Instead, Carter-Williams has been relegated to good locker room presence. At the very least, he has been good at that. His leadership was always far more valuable than his contributions on the court for this young team.
It is disappointing that his time in Orlando is coming to such a quiet end.
14. E’Twaun Moore ($1.7 million, one year)
Like Michael Carter-Williams, E’Twaun Moore has been relegated to good veteran in the locker room. And again, to his credit, he has been a good voice. After practices, you can see E’Twaun Moore working with Markelle Fultz in two-on-two and three-on-three drills (all controlled) or talking with Jalen Suggs and coach Jamahl Mosley.
The Magic likely signed Moore as an injury replacement for Carter-Williams once he opted for surgery, needing the veteran presence and ball-handling on the floor. Of course, Moore suffered his own knee issue in training camp and has yet to play this season.
His absence has also been frustrating, continuing some division between the front office and the fan base over players returning from injury. It is not that Moore would drastically change the team, but his presence would certainly help.
13. Moritz Wagner ($3.6 million, 2 years, 2022 non-guaranteed)
In that sense then, thank goodness the Orlando Magic added Moritz Wagner. The team needed someone who would mix things up and needle their opponents if Michael Carter-Williams was going to be otherwise unavailable. Wagner has fit the bill completely.
But more than that, Wagner has surprised everyone with his level of play. He has come in and played his role perfectly throughout the season. Barring any free-agent additions at his position, the Magic might well bring him back next year.
That is about as high a praise as the team can give to a player of his type and ilk.
Wagner has proven himself to be a solid shooter and a decent defender on the low block. Like so many things this year, the Magic have likely relied on him a bit too much because of their lack of depth. But Wagner has been all the Magic could have hoped for and more so far.