The Orlando Magic aren’t going anywhere in the Eastern Conference and their rebuilding efforts haven’t panned out like they expected. If there are teams out there that are looking to improve their roster, the Magic may have some pieces that are available for trades.
Just don’t expect them to field offers for Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac.
In a lengthy report on ESPN by Zach Lowe, the Magic are interested in making deals but have singled out Gordon and Isaac as immovable assets.
“Everyone but Gordon and Isaac is readily available, per sources around the league. Most expect Elfrid Payton, a free agent this summer, to be elsewhere by next season, and I'd agree.”
Aaron Gordon is a potential cornerstone for the franchise as they continue to rebuild, something they have had very little success in the past few years since trading Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012.
Jonathan Isaac has been injured for much of the season and has shown little to justify his selection as the number six pick of last year’s draft. But he’s young and inexperienced so the Magic are giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Orlando is near the bottom in the overall standings and it hopes to land the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. To ensure that their chances are higher, it is likely that they are going full blast in losing their remaining games.
Teams looking for immediate help in their bid for a playoff berth or a championship would do well to consider other players from the Magic’s roster such as Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Simmons, Elfrid Payton, Terrence Ross, D.J. Augustin, and Bismack Biyombo. Most of these players can be had for draft picks and/or expiring contracts, something that the Magic covet at this point.
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