3 potential Orlando Magic trade candidates
By Luke Duffy
The Orlando Magic look like an organization that could make a move before the trade deadline. Here are three players they could look to trade.
With the Orlando Magic having gone 6-2 in their last eight games, they have righted the ship as they look to solidify their playoff position. That they have done so without promising forward Jonathan Isaac is even more impressive, although the teams around them are now beginning to return to full strength themselves.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
Currently in seventh place and 20-21 on the year, they can now start looking upwards at trying to catch the Indiana Pacers ahead of them (26-15), as opposed to worrying about what lies below. They are three games into a six-game Western road trip (2-1) that could come to define their season and are playing much better defensively.
So far in 2020, the Magic have by far the best defensive rating in the league (98.4) and they have done this without the help of Jonathan Isaac. Khem Birch, who was so influential off the bench in their postseason run last year, has come into the starting lineup and his hustle on both ends of the court has been important for team’s ability to become a tough out every night.
Despite this cautious optimism, which has arrived a little earlier than last season, the Magic could still be players before the trade deadline. Although Kevin Love and Andre Drummond may ultimately be the biggest names that are moved, there is still plenty that can be done around the edges to make the Magic even better.
This is a risk however, as right now the Magic seem to be working themselves into a bit of form. Even on the offensive end they have shown improvements and the 16th they rank in this category over their last eight games (109.6) is their highest mark over a period of time so far this season.
Aaron Gordon has been an important reason for these improvements and his game-winner against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night was a welcome sight.
Although he may currently have the highest trade value of any player on the Magic’s roster, he has been exempt from this list because they should be looking to build around Gordon, Isaac and Markelle Fultz, who had a triple-double in the Magic’s stunning win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Wednesday.