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Orlando Magic: They won’t be able to move Evan Fournier

By Luke Duffy

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 3: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic stands for the National Anthem prior to a game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 3, 2020 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 3: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic stands for the National Anthem prior to a game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 3, 2020 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Conclusion

Of the players currently rumored to be available, who out of those mentioned could do more, bearing in mind the roster around them would still be the same, than Fournier? Robert Covington? Too late now, but he’s better as a complementary player? D’Angelo Russell? Didn’t the Magic trade for a franchise point guard at this stage last year, and hasn’t he started off well since returning from injury?

Or is Fultz suddenly not the answer, just because another player might be available? Russell is much better than Fultz right now, which begs the question, what do the Orlando Magic have other than Fournier to trade? Throw Aaron Gordon in as well?

Now we’re getting into major roster overhaul and change of direction, plus Gordon has seemingly been available for some time now, adding Fournier isn’t going to change that. Luke Kennard? Actually a nice idea, but the Detroit Pistons look destined for a rebuild. Andrew Wiggins? You know what, let’s stick with Fournier, things aren’t that bad.

This is what you get when you’ve had a poor front office who have been allowed to make poor moves for a prolonged period of time. Remember, at one point the franchise turned Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis into Serge Ibaka. Take a look at the Indiana Pacers when you get a chance, they’re not doing too badly.

So when a new front office come in, it’s going to take time to clear out the dead wood and get the roster looking the way they want it. These are the people who drafted Isaac and traded for Fultz. They also drafted Mohamed Bamba, and while the jury is still out on him, he’s been ok recently. The Vucevic deal seemed a bit odd, but nowhere near the disaster Ibaka was.

Player from each team most likely to be traded at the deadline. dark. Next

Evan Fournier is a product of the previous regime. He’s actually turned out to be one of the Orlando Magic’s best players for a prolonged stretch of time, but it would seem to suit both player and team best if they split. It’s just his contract won’t allow that right now. Next time you want to rag on him or bemoan the fact he still plays in Orlando, remember all of those facts. Everything is not his fault, and it’s not this front office’s fault they can’t move him either.

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