After making the playoffs for two straight years, the Orlando Magic sit at 13-27, which is second-to-last in the Eastern Conference. The Magic's net rating is third-worst in the league at minus-6.9, and there is no end in sight for the downward spiral. At this point, the Magic's best bet would be to attempt to blow it up.
The trouble with this is that the Magic are not exactly sitting on a bed of assets. The Magic have an All-Star in Nikola Vucevic, but his value is tenuous at best because he is a 5 who is not a plus defender. While Orlando supposedly isn't keen on dealing Vucevic, he shouldn't be untouchable.
The Magic would be smart to make some moves in an attempt to steer the tank towards the bottom of the league and pick up some assets along the way.
Trade 1
Utah Jazz Receive: James Ennis III
New York Knicks Receive: Evan Fournier and Juwan Morgan
Orlando Magic Receive: Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Ignas Brazdeikis, a 2022 second-round pick (via Jazz), and a 2021 top-10 protected first-round pick (via Knicks)
Evan Fournier is a player who has some value to a lot of teams in the league. He shoots really well, plays solid defense, and can do some playmaking. However, Fournier's contract makes most teams interested in him hesitant. It's not an awful contract, but an expiring deal worth over $17 million is still a sizable amount.
However, the New York Knicks currently have around $13 million in cap space and plenty of filler salary. The Knicks want to make the playoffs this season, and we know Tom Thibodeau would love to add a veteran talent like Fournier.
The Magic get a good amount of low-level flyers from the Knicks here, plus a first-round pick they can work with. Making it a three-team deal with the Jazz helps makes the math work easier and lets the Magic trade another competent player so they can continue to get worse. Frank Ntilikina, Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz would be a fun, young guard trio to monitor next season.
Trade 2
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Terrence Ross, Thomas Bryant, Jerome Robinson, and a 2023 second-round pick (via Wizards)
Washington Wizards Receive: Nikola Vucevic
Orlando Magic Receive: Gorgui Dieng, Robin Lopez, Troy Brown Jr., John Konchar, Jontay Porter, and a 2021 lottery protected first-round pick (via Wizards)
Trading Nikola Vucevic is tough. The Magic don't really want to trade an All-Star player, but it might be best for their future if they do it. They'll want a lot for him, though, and contenders might be hesitant to give up too much for him. The same could be said for really bad teams. So, you have to find either a somewhat delusional team that thinks they are better than they are or a team content to chase the play-in tournament.
This Wizards team could fall into either category depending on who you ask. The Grizzlies are an ideal third team as well because they have some flexibility and Terrence Ross would add a dimension to their offense that they don't have.
The Magic getting real value out of these two is something they should be quick to jump on because the contracts are sizable and the players aren't the most scalable. Troy Brown Jr. and Jontay Porter are more buy-low bets for the Magic to take on and try to develop. The Magic would have a solid set of young assets and picks going into the future and a chance to tank for a guys like Cade Cunningham or Evan Mobley this year.
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