The 3 Orlando Magic players most likely to be traded by the deadline

Monday night was a momentous one for the Orlando Magic, as they finally welcomed Jonathan Isaac back into the fold. Better yet, he had some really encouraging moments in nine minutes of action.

Isaac’s addition could yet be the x-factor in a push for the play-in tournament, with the Orlando Magic becoming the only team to beat the Boston Celtics three times this season in Isaac’s return.

Asking too much of him would be foolish, but he has legitimate help in the form of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. What is now becoming an inescapable fact however, is that the roster needs to be rejigged.

There are not enough minutes to go round for the Orlando Magic, so let us examine the three players now most likely to be moved on before the trade deadline on February 9th.

Isaac’s re-integration is not the only reason for the need to move some players out. The Magic now have a core of Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter and Markelle Fultz who are growing together at a nice pace.

It is now on the front office to put the best players they can, both veterans and those with potential, around those four.

Isaac is obviously exempt from trade right now as well, because it is not yet known just how much he can help this group. His first game back though, was wildly encouraging.

But the clock is ticking toward the trade deadline. And while Orlando is not expected to be aggressive at the deadline, nor are they expected to sell pieces off, they can still get some work done to clear up the roster and push toward this team’s future.

3 Orlando Magic player most likely to get traded at the deadline

3. Gary Harris

This is more a case of another team contacting the Orlando Magic, as opposed to the franchise feeling the need to move on from Gary Harris. There is little doubt  Harris could help a host of contenders. But the fact is right now he is also helping the Magic.

He has started a surprising 13 of the 19 games he has been available, and leads the team in three point shooting percentage at a scorching 42.6 percent on 3.6 attempts per game.

That is the kind of production any team would love to have. And at 28 he is in theory only entering his prime now.

Even if this is the player Harris is always going to be, it is one that can start or come off the bench and be a genuine offensive weapon. Without doubt, Harris is part of a potent starting lineup for this Magic team as someone who can be effective without the bal.

Some questioned why the organization gave Harris a two-year extension last summer, but it is now looking like a very smart move.

With the second year of the deal non-guaranteed and Harris making $13 million per year, that is an immensely appealing contract that is easy to move if needed.

It also did not eat much into the Magic’s own cap space, so in bringing Harris back the franchise were always going to be in a position of power if things went well. They have, and now Harris could command a first round pick or a couple of young players with upside.

Rui Hachimura cost the Los Angeles Lakers three second round picks and Kendrick Nunn. If the Magic were offered that for Harris, they would likely say no. So Harris makes this list not because the Magic are in any hurry to trade him, but because he has value throughout the NBA.

3 Orlando Magic player most likely to get traded at the deadline

2. Terrence Ross

It feels like Terrence Ross and Gary Harris are intertwined because they have similar skillsets, but we may be about to hit the point where their paths diverge.

Recently we argued here that the Magic should not part with Ross too quickly, because of the veteran presence he has.

That did not go down well with sections of the fanbase, who felt that the importance of Ross as the locker-room leader is overblown. If that is the case, and with the player on an expiring contract, then the time has come for him to leave Orlando.

He currently averages the ninth most minutes per game on the team at 22.5, and is slipping down the rotation. Jonathan Isaac’s return does not put him in direct competition with Terrence Ross for minutes, and yet that playing time has to come from somewhere. Ross is the one who sat out so Isaac could play in Monday’s win over the Boston Celtics.

Moe Wagner (22.4 minutes), the injured Chuma Okeke (21.8) and Isaac (currently 10 minutes) all trail Ross in playing time. Yet we will soon hit a point where all three should and probably will overtake Ross in minutes. And that does not even get into Caleb Houstan who is on a G-League assignment so he can get some playing time and stay sharp.

Getting ahead of this and moving him now while there is some interest makes sense for the organization. The credit of Ross, he has never complained about his situation, and inability to be part of a rebuild while in his prime years.

But with the Magic likely to lose him in the summer for nothing anyway, they should see what they can get in return now.

Evan Fournier netted them a pair of second rounders in a similar situation before. Guys like Cam Reddish are out there ready to be taken. It makes complete sense to move Ross before the deadline.

3 Orlando Magic player most likely to get traded at the deadline

1. Mo Bamba

For Mo Bamba, the writing is now officially on the wall. The center may feel hard done by with this, as he has quietly had the best season of his career to date with the Orlando Magic. Now in his fifth campaign though, it is simply too late.

Shooting 38.4 percent from deep is a nice number. But Bamba has failed to be a true force on the defensive end. To be fair to him, the defensive rating of 110.8 he is posting this season is 27th among all centers and is above both Moe Wagner (112.4) and Bol Bol (115).

But with Wendell Carter the definite starter, the elder Wagner offering a nice boost of energy off the bench and the potential of Bol still too enticing, there is nowhere left for Bamba to go to continue to grow in this rotation.

Jonathan Isaac will be in direct competition with Mo Bamba for minutes, and showed in that win over the Celtics that his offensive game is already more diverse than Bamba’s even after 904 days of not playing for the team. Look at this play on a proper defender in Jaylen Brown.

If Isaac is showing that kind of offensive confidence so soon after coming back, then you can bet his impact defensively will start to show sooner rather than later. The only question then, is what the Magic could hope to get back in a deal involving Bamba?

They have plenty of young players who need minutes, so perhaps a veteran is the move. This would be even more critical if Ross is also gone by February 9th.

At only 24-years-old, this would give Bamba the opportunity to start afresh in a situation where he will be given the chance to thrive.