The case for the Orlando Magic
Right now, the Magic can try to improve and chase a playoff spot.
Or, they can tank, tank, tank!
The reasoning for Orlando doing this deal is simple: It can finally establish a clear direction.
If Orlando trades for Teague, it can try to close the gap in the race for the 8-seed in the East. Their new-look starting five would be:
- PG: Jeff Teague
- SG: Mario Hezonja
- SF: Jonathon Simmons
- PF: Wesley Iwundu
- C: Bismack Biyombo
That lineup would allow a lot of switching 2-4, and you can have a lot worse defense than Teague and Biyombo at the 1 and the 5. This trade also improves the Magic in a classic case of addition by subtraction, because Aaron Gordon would get more shots as the clear No. 1 option on offense.
In the more likely scenario where Orlando goes all in on the tank, getting rid of Vucevic will help a team with a fast pace play even faster.
This trade would be something along the lines of Nemanja Bjelica, Shabazz Muhammad, and Justin Patton for Nikola Vucevic.
The Magic are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Getting rid of Vucevic means more minutes for Jonathan Isaac, the rookie who is averaging 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes.
Also, Bismack Biyombo is making $17 million a year. He still offers a ton from a defensive standpoint. Biyombo is currently averaging 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes and is a more fitting center next to Gordon in a frontcourt. This opens up more minutes for interesting prospects like Wesley Iwundu and Mario Hezonja.
But Vucevic is still a talented frontcourt player who is a steady scoring option, and can still have big nights against certain matchups. Orlando will take all the help it can get securing better draft odds in one of the most loaded draft lottery classes in recent NBA history.