Blueprint For Rebuilding The Orlando Magic
By Simon Smith
Step 2: Clear Space
Orlando receives: Taj Gibson, Jerian Grant, Bobby Portis, 2017 First Round Pick
Chicago receives: Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton
With a bumper free-agent class coming this summer, creating cap space should be a priority for Hennigan and the front office. The Chicago Bulls are another team in a need of a boost, currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 28-29 record.
Nikola Vucevic is just 26 and a very talented low post scorer. But with the offseason signing of center Bismack Biyombo, Vucevic’s numbers have taken a hit this season. His minutes have dropped from 31.3 to 28.5 per game. His points have dipped from 18.2 to 13.9 per game. Furthermore, he has started in just 35 of 55 games, having played just four games off the bench over the previous four seasons combined.
More from Orlando Magic
- The most exciting NBA team you won’t see on national TV this season
- 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- Orlando Magic draft odds: What are the chances of landing the #1 pick?
- Franz Wagner has smashed the sophomore slump for the Orlando Magic
For the Bulls, Vucevic represents a legitimate low-post and midrange threat who is currently averaging a double-double despite the inconsistency of his role on the team.
Keeping both Vucevic and Biyombo seems quite superfluous. Although they are completely different players, paying huge money to have either coming off the bench makes no sense. And Vucevic’s shorter, less costly deal makes him the much easier of the two to move. The other part of the equation is point guard Elfrid Payton, the 10th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Payton has certainly taken some steps forward, and the Bulls are yet to settle their gaping point guard since the departure of Derrick Rose. Still just 22 and with huge upside, Payton is a worthwhile investment for the Bulls. The gaping hole in Payton’s game is his perimeter shot, not a great attribute in today’s game. For the season, Payton is hitting at a 26.8 percent clip from behind three.
As part of the transaction, the Magic would receive Taj Gibson and his $8.95 million expiring contract. Furthermore, the Magic receive two young promising players in Jerian Grant and Bobby Portis. Both Grant and Portis still have two years running on their contracts after this season on very cheap deals. Also, the team receives Chicago’s first round pick in the loaded 2017 NBA draft.