Orlando Magic: 5 players most likely to be traded this season

1. Nikola Vucevic

Big man Nikola Vucevic is the obvious choice here for so many reasons, even if it would be sad to see him go. The guy clearly cares about the team and has been Orlando’s most consistent performer for the last five seasons (averaging a double-double in four of them).

He’s so gifted offensively, and yet had more defensive win shares (3.1) than the supposedly superior rim protector Biyombo (2.1).

He’s in line to make $12.25 million this season and only slightly more next year before hitting unrestricted free agency himself. There’s so much to like about his game and this may actually be the year he breaks through as a legitimate All-Star candidate as well.

So why trade him then? Because the Magic have saddled themselves with Biyombo now, and having the both of them on the roster makes little sense.

Why pay just shy of $30 million for two men who play center when you could put some of that money elsewhere?

No position has regressed in importance like the 5-spot, and while the team is spoiled with choice as a result of having both men, it needs reinforcements elsewhere.

Moving Vucevic would be hurt, but he’s also the most tradable asset the Magic have, and he’s somebody who could do a job for most teams in the league.

Next: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year

The NBA is a business after all, and trading Nikola Vucevic before the deadline would be the smartest piece of it the Orlando Magic would do all season.