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Orlando Magic: Pros and cons of trading for Dennis Smith Jr.

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on from court side during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on from court side during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Con: What they’d have to give up

The main drawback of going after Dennis Smith Jr. is clearly what the Magic would have to give up in order to get him.

Players like Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier should be on the table, although with Ross on an expiring contract and a threat from deep he may be the only veteran player the Mavericks have any interest in.

Nikola Vucevic should also be made available, as he too is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

While it would be painful to see Vooch, who is slowly climbing the ladder to become a Magic great, leave and would end their playoff hopes this season, it would be step backwards to potentially move forwards.

None of these players are the issue though. The Mavericks would demand one of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac or Mohamed Bamba back, and that could be a tough price to pay.

Gordon may not have grown offensively on his promising breakout campaign of last season, but his defense is underrated around the league.

He is developing into a more well rounded two-way player, which is exactly what the Magic need at the forward position. Bamba has struggled during his rookie season so far, but he is just that, a rookie. It is way too early to give up on a center with clear upside who can make 3-pointers.

Add some muscle to that frame and he becomes a different player.

Which leaves only Isaac, the most puzzling of the three at this moment. He has remained mostly injury free so far, but his inconsistencies have been frustrating. Some nights he makes Gordon look expendable with all he can do on both ends. More frequently though, he fades out of games.

The problem with maybe including Isaac in any deal though, is not learning the lessons from this decade and letting him go too soon.

Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris were traded before going on to play like All-Stars elsewhere, while Domantas Sabonis and Dario Saric were moved without ever playing for the Magic.

Isaac has the potential to be the next great player they let leave too early. All three members of their young core do, which is what would make trading at least one of them for Smith a risky move.

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