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7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. Team's Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic reacts with U.S. Team's Victor Oladipo #5 of the Orlando Magic during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at the Barclays Center on February 13, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. Team's Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic reacts with U.S. Team's Victor Oladipo #5 of the Orlando Magic during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at the Barclays Center on February 13, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic dribbles during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic dribbles during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

5. Aaron Gordon

The first truly contentious choice on this list arrives in the form of Aaron Gordon. A polarizing figure during his time with the Orlando Magic, he has carved out the perfect role for himself with the Denver Nuggets.

But could it be that Gordon could have found that same role with the Magic?

Consider this, the Magic won both the Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier trades that helped them to kickstart their rebuild.

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The Gordon to the Nuggets trade is trickier, as R.J. Hampton is no longer on the roster and Gary Harris, for how important he is becoming to the Magic, shares similar skills to Terrence Ross.

Imagine if the Magic had added Wendell Carter from the Chicago Bulls through the Nikola Vucevic trade, and still drafted Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.

We’re playing “what if” here, but with Gordon still on the roster that is not inconceivable. He is not a floor raiser, we know that now.

Alongside Carter, Wagner and Banchero, Gordon would have been an excellent defensive player who would have made the Magic even better this season and beyond.

Too much was expected of Gordon at a time when the Magic simply were not very good. He was viewed as the next Blake Griffin type when really he excels as a defender around high-level players.

The 2023 Magic would have been much better suited to Gordon, and although most fans were not sad to see the back of him, there is a world where he was part of what they’ve got cooking now.