How to Fix the Orlando Magic

How can we fix the Orlando Magic?

This team has not been to the playoffs since 2012 and has not been past the first round of the playoffs since 2010. In a league where more than 1/2 the teams make the playoffs, it simply isn't good enough. The truth is that it is very sad actually. What's worse is this team looks like it will miss out again this year and it doesn't look to get better anytime soon. What can we do to improve this outlook?

Sell! Sell! Sell!

I get it. Tanking sucks. It sucks to miss out on the playoffs year after year. It is a tough sell to fans, especially when the drought to the playoffs has already been so long. You know what though, it is also necessary. The worst place to be in professional sports other than the NFL is in the middle. We don't want to be in the middle ever (especially the lower 1/2 of that middle like we are now). You have to be really good or really bad. Since we aren't really good, we must trade for the future, get bad now, and go for the future. The painful truth is that it must be done.

The current cast has a ceiling of the 8th seed in the playoffs. That is their ceiling and honestly, I don't see them even accomplishing that. There are too many barriers, but if we tear it down like I outline below, you can make something happen in the next 3 years. If we hit on everything I say, this team can actually compete for an NBA Championship!

Who should we keep and who should we dump though?

I'll split guys into 3 categories, who to definitely keep, who we should try to keep, but be open to move, and who to trade.

KEEP
Jonathan Isaac - Isaac is basically a rookie this year after a devastating injury last year and is starting to develop. He is a great defensive player, has good length, and gets better daily. Additionally, he is fairly cheap for a starting player since he's on his rookie deal.

All Expiring Contracts Unless we get Draft Picks or usable pieces - All expiring contracts can be used to get better players in the off-season. A team that is looking to get better in the long term, must hold onto these in today's NBA. Unless we get great value at the deadline, we should hold onto these players with some exceptions. Use the money to make a run at Klay Thompson. This team just needs a stud in the backcourt and I see Klay Thompson as that franchise changing piece. For some reason, I just get the idea that he wants to be THE GUY. We'd afford him that chance, but have to be able to have $$$ to offer.

Wes Iwundu - Iwundu seems like he could breakout at any moment to me. He's a great switch defender and has a 7'1 wingspan. Add into that the fact that he makes less than 2 million a year and is looked up for 2 years and we need to hold onto Iwundu.

Be Open To Trade
Mo Bamba - I like Mo Bamba. I think he is going to be really good, but this team has a decision to make. Do we move forward with Mo Bamba or do we build the team around our best player in Vucevic and somebody else? We should be giving top $$$ to one frontcourt player and one backcourt player. Having two of our best players as centers doesn't make a ton of sense moving forward. This is especially true with Aaron Gordon making 21 million. We must get a more quality team. While I like Bamba, if trading him gets us more picks or better overall, we must look at a trade.

Nikola Vucevic - I personally feel we should build around Vucevic (who is due a huge raise). Vuc has been our best player and one that is wildly consistent, but.....  we could probably get a haul for him and he is not guaranteed to return to the team. I think we may get some crazy good offers for Vuc.
DJ Augustin - Augustin is actually a decent point guard. He's been effective and hes pretty cheap for an NBA Starting Point Guard. He's not elite enough to take this team to the next level by himself, but he's a good player. I'd like to keep him, but he may be more valuable to the future in a trade.

Terrance Ross - I want to hold onto expiring contracts and I like Terrance Ross. I just feel he is the most likely to be traded. Already used to the 6th man role and could be very valuable to a playoff squad as a shooter off the bench. I can definitely imagine a team like the Lakers giving up some good young talent for Ross.

Try With All Your Might To Trade
Timofey Mozgov - He doesn't even play and he makes 16 million. What a waste of $$$. Try to take back a similar bad contract, but one that expires this year from a playoff team. Pair him with a Vucevic or a Ross and there is a chance it can happen. Again, idea is to free up $$$ for a Klay Thompson type.

Evan Fournier - There is no Magic player (that plays) that frustrates me more than Evan Fournier. Why does this guy make 17 million? He makes it very unlikely we can get an elite guard or keep Vucevic. Our team simply can't compete with the contracts of Mosgov, Fournier and...

Aaron Gordon - I like Aaron Gordon. He's a good player. I can actually see why the Magic think he was worth 21 million. Just think we would be better off getting some other talent and draft picks and using that $$$ elsewhere.

So there you have it. Trade Gordon, Fournier, and Mosgov. Free up cap space. Bring in Klay Thompson or Kyrie or some other stud. OR bring in a group of higher end talent that isn't quite max level, but close and cheaper. Just don't stick with the status-quo of finishing 9th - 11th place in the East. The current plan is not working. Time to change course.

Heck, if you do this, you get a better player in the draft too!

Either way though #PureMagic and Go Magic!

- Noland