Markelle Fultz’s torn ACL means the Magic are in need of a starting point guard. OKC Thunder vet George Hill offers win-win scenarios for both teams.
Through seven games the OKC Thunder possess a record of 3-4. While this is slightly ahead of projections there are 65 games to play with copious travel dates and back-to-back sets. Plus, TI will keep our eyes peeled for teams needing a well-honed vet via trade.
As of this posting, OKC is seeded 22nd. Of the eight teams seeded below OKC, six should finish ahead of the Thunder while the Hornets and Pistons are likely to remain in the same area. If that were the case and no other teams fell down it would put the Thunder in the ideal bottom triumvirate of teams who’ll garner the 14 percent shot at the top draft pick.
While there are never guarantees factors like schedules, injuries, and trades will impact every team’s ability to compete. And in the case of the Thunder, other team’s injuries could also affect their ability to finish on one of those bottom three rungs.
What makes the Thunder situation unique is their trio of veteran talents all have ample playoff experience and cover the gamut of position needs. George Hill at guard, Trevor Ariza as a ‘3 & D’ wing, and big man Al Horford.
Heck, you could make it four vets if you want to throw in Mike Muscala as the 3-point reserve sniper who can play various positions and space the court.
OKC Thunder can help Orlando and themselves via trade
Sadly, injuries are a part of every sport and have the greatest impact on a team’s competitiveness. Even at the top level, it’s notable the teams who won the last three titles had the fewest injuries to their core. Depth was also key to those clubs’ successes.
This early in the season losing a key player can derail the season quickly and for teams who invested in deep playoff or title runs that can be catastrophic. The Orlando Magic vaulted out of the starters blocks currently ranking second in the East and third overall.
After back-to-back first-round gentlemen’s sweeps to the Raptors and Bucks, the hope was Steve Clifford’s crew would take a step this season relying on their roster constancy, the leadership of Nicola Vucevic plus the expanding games of Aaron Gordon and Markelle Fultz.
Everything seemed to be on track for the Magic and then 4:25 into the first frame of the match Wednesday versus the Cavaliers Fultz tore his ACL.
The timing is terrible given Fultz seemed to gel in Orlando and was progressively improving. The memories of his ruined shot, shoulder issues, and pressure to live up to being the top draft pick in Philly were long in the rearview. Instead, he was thriving in Orlando and seemed on the precipice of taking a quantum leap this season.
With that thinking in mind let’s look at two potential trades the OKC Thunder and Orlando Magic could complete.