OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings week 10 – All-Star break edition
26. team. 38. . 13-21. Previous: . Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic:
Week 10: 0-3
Lost to: Pistons 93-105, Nets 92-129, Jazz 109-124
Opponents this week: Mavericks, Hawks
Offensive Rating: 105.1 (28th) | Defensive Rating:111.7 (18th) | Net Differential: -6.7 (28th)
There are numerous teams who would line up to land Nikola Vucevic but coach Steve Clifford has stated he’s untouchable. That’s could be why he got recognized by the coaches ahead of Domantas Sabonis. Clifford raves about Vuc’s professionalism, work ethic, and the stats speak for themselves.
He’s averaging a double-double of 24.4 points and 11.6 rebounds. In addition, Vuc is dishing 3.6 dimes plus a steal per game while shooting a blistering hot 41 percent from deep.
With Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz out for the season, his effort is largely going unnoticed but Orlando has no desire to lose their big man. Although he’s collecting $26 million this season, his contract decreases by $2 million in each of the next two seasons making him one of the more valuable contracts given his production.
The Magic got swept this week but two of those losses came versus the Nets and Jazz — not exactly a fair fight.
Orlando is in a precarious position given the core players who are out. While Vucevic is clearly in the long-term picture the question approaching the deadline is whether the Magic try to trade Evan Fournier who will be a free agent this year.
And, what about Aaron Gordon who has one more year on his contract? He’s out again with a severe ankle sprain that will keep him off the hardwood until mid-March. Gordon’s either very unlucky or extremely injury-prone.
The big question facing executive Jeff Weltman is will the Magic be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. If the former can they make moves that will move the needle this year as well as propel the Magic forward in the future.