OKC Thunder: Power Rankings all teams at the trade deadline
14-28. Previous: 26th. Orlando Magic. 28. team. 38.
Orlando Magic: Sellers (but with reshaping core in mind)
Week 13: 1-2
Offense: (105.2) 27th
Defense: (111.9) 19th
Net: (Minus -6.7) 28th
If you’re going to break out of a losing slump you may as well do it with panache which is what the Magic did by defeating the Nets. Especially because Brooklyn had both James Harden and Kyrie Irving in the lineup.
What it also delivered was a breakout seasonal performance by Aaron Gordon who dropped 38 points on the Nets. That of course had the immediate effect of murmurs regarding Gordon’s potential to be traded.
Gordon has dealt with this situation repeatedly during his tenure in Orlando but this time it seems to have merit with his confirmation he did request a trade, albeit walking it back a bit.
There aren’t a ton of combo forwards who can defend and score so along with the two Raptors Gordon is considered one of the bigger names available with several teams interested. The Nuggets, Celtics, and Blazers are getting the most buzz.
Yet, as per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, even squads that might not be playoff bound this season are also interested like the Rockets and Wolves. My cohort Mark Nilon has coveted Gordon long before his name was getting serious air time. He considered how the Thunder could utilize the TPE to get a deal done for Gordon.
While Gordon could be in play, he’s not the only Magic player Jeff Weltman will likely be fielding calls about (or conversely making calls about).
Evan Fournier is in the final year of his contract and finally healthy. With a limited 2021 free agent market his asking price might not be in the range Orlando wants to pay. That means Weltman should pull a Presti and get something for the player before losing them for nothing.
Undoubtedly teams will call about Nikola Vucevic, but so far, he’s been earmarked as untouchable and the big man is happy in Orlando.
The other side of the equation is now that the Magic are getting back players it’s not inconceivable they could make a run and get into the play-in tournament, especially in the East. Should that be the case Orlando should look to add a veteran point guard and the Thunder have one who would fit the bill.