The Orlando Magic appear to have a bright future with Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz and Mo Bamba leading the charge as the team's core. The squad was in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 30-35 before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the Washington Wizards being 5.5 games back of the Magic in the standings, it appeared Orlando was on its way to making the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
With that being said, the Magic still have a few moves to make before they can be considered a legit contender in the Eastern Conference. Markelle Fultz was a great story for the Magic this season, as he proved he can play in the NBA following his bizarre first two years in the league.
However, the team still needs a lead guard and explosive scorer next to Vucevic since Fultz is still developing and better served coming off the bench since he can go up against reserves and dominate.
While his health will always be a concern since he's undergone four knee surgeries, Derrick Rose is the perfect player for the Magic to trade for this summer. The Pistons will require a first-round pick for the former MVP, as that is what the team wanted for Rose at the 2020 trade deadline.
In 50 games for the Pistons this season, Rose averaged 18.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 26.0 minutes per night. He shot 49.0 percent from the field, 30.6 percent from beyond the arc and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Despite coming off the bench for much of the season, Rose scored 20 or more points 26 times for the Pistons. That's the type of scoring the Magic need alongside Vucevic.
As has been the case for the past few years, the Magic were led in scoring by Vucevic this season before games were suspended. He was averaging 19.5 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 47.0 percent from the floor, 32.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Vucevic would get a lot more easy looks at the basket playing with Rose, who remains one of the best drivers and passers in the NBA despite undergoing four knee surgeries since winning his MVP award in 2011.
D-Rose can take some of the offensive pressure off from Vucevic, especially in the fourth quarter when the game slows down and half-court scoring becomes a premium. There aren't too many better one-on-one scorers in the league right now than Derrick Rose.
Plus, his penetration and ability to collapse defenses will free up the Magic shooters for open looks from the perimeter.
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