Playing buy or sell with each NBA playoff bubble team

Orlando Magic: Stand pat

Though it seems like everyone except Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac should be up for grabs, it’s tough to see the Orlando Magic making any big pushes. They are by no means locked into a playoff spot, but their group has experience from last season and the front office seems to be buying time for that untouchable duo.

Injuries hurt the front office’s vision for the season. Isaac and Al-Farouq Aminu, two lanky defenders handpicked by this front office, are done for the year. D.J. Augustin, one of the few ball handlers Orlando has, is out for at least another week.

Evan Fournier is having a great season, but the trio of Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic won’t win at the highest levels. That’s been evident in their 5-20 record against teams over .500 and is unlikely to change unless an earth-shattering move comes to fruition.

Is such a move possible? Functionally yes; Gordon and Vucevic are both on deals that decline in value as they age, making them attractive while also working as salary fodder. Their surplus of switchable forwards would appeal to many teams too.

But the truth is, there aren’t going to be many big-ticket stars hitting the market. The Magic reportedly inquired about DeMar DeRozan, per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, but LaMarcus Aldridge’s sudden love for 3-pointers has helped San Antonio stay relevant.

So many stars moved over the summer or got inked to new deals, making it tough to see their teams offload them so soon. Fournier’s player option can act as salary for a bigger name, but he means a lot more to Orlando’s playoff push than accounting.

Orlando’s ceiling is capped and so is its ability to raise said ceiling. Gordon and Vucevic become more attractive trade pieces as they age, and Isaac and Fultz are still on their rookie contracts for 2020-21. Patience is a virtue for the Magic.