Orlando Magic: Pros and cons of trading for Dennis Smith Jr.
By Luke Duffy
Pro: He’s exciting
There’s a reason Nikola Vucevic hasn’t gotten close to the level of All-Star love from the casual fans this season that he deserves and that is because nobody really watches or cares about the Magic. If you’re not a fan of them, there’s little reason to tune in.
Even those who do attend games or watch at home, know that supporting them can be a frustrating experience.
The rebuild has been a long and challenging one and even though there have been some bright spots this year, the Magic still find creative ways to lose games that they look well in control of with worrying frequency.
Dennis Smith Jr. couldn’t change all of that on his own and in truth, the coaching staff has already implemented positive steps to change the culture. But what he could do is make more people watch the Magic’s games.
Absolute best-case scenario, he ends up being like a Kemba Walker-type in Orlando. Walker is an All-Star who plays for the small market Charlotte Hornets. Are many people firing up their League Pass to watch him player over a team like the Golden State Warriors?
Not likely, but he is somebody that people who pay closer attention to the league will have a cursory look at on a quiet night around the league, or when his many highlights appear on their social media timelines.
Walker creates buzz around a franchise that, at best, is the sixth seed in the East.
Smith could absolutely have the same impact, but in different ways. He is more of a high-flier, and coupled with Gordon would make for an exciting tandem. Vucevic is a fantastic talent, but his interior moves and improved 3-point shooting isn’t selling shoes or tickets to the casual fan.
The Magic have a history of being exciting because of the young players they’ve been lucky enough to have. Smith could be the next in a long line of these types of individuals, a reason to turn on the organization’s games for the casual fan once more.