Biggest winners and losers of the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline
Loser: Orlando Magic
Once upon a time, the Orlando Magic traded the rights to Dario Saric and a second round pick that became Willy Hernangomez for Elfrid Payton, the No. 10 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Now, they’re trading that player for a second round pick that will probably land somewhere in the 40s.
That sound you’re hearing is every Orlando Magic fan snorting bath salts and retching.
Orlando might be worse at developing talent than Sacramento.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 8, 2018
This wasn’t new GM John Hammond’s fault. He inherited Rob Hennigan’s baggage, and Orlando needed to focus on Aaron Gordon‘s upcoming restricted free agency anyway. There was little chance they were going to re-sign Gordon and the guy who failed to prove himself as the franchise’s solution at point guard over and over again.
However, turning a former top-10 selection into a mediocre second round selection is abysmal asset management, and that’s saying nothing about the organization’s inability to cultivate talent.
First major move from Orlando's new front office -- cutting bait on Payton before he heads to free agency. Price seems low, but 0% chance of getting a 1st-round pick for him. https://t.co/mEN51iDKgJ
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 8, 2018
Getting something out of a player rather than letting him walk for nothing is always the best principle in free agency situations like this, but there’s no question the end of the Elfrid Payton raises a ton of “What if?” questions. None of the answers should make Magic fans feel any better.