Orlando Magic: Analyzing a LaMelo Ball-centric trade with the Warriors
By Luke Duffy
Does this trade work for the Golden State Warriors?
On the surface, this looks to be a great deal for the Warriors for a number of reasons. Most importantly is the addition of Vucevic, a one-time All-Star who is currently in his prime. He is very much a win-now player, and the Warriors, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green at their core, come under that heading.
If this year’s playoffs showed us anything as well, it is that the rebirth of the big man has taken place. This is especially true for the Warriors, who as currently constructed do not have an answer for Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers on their roster. The title runs through L.A. and will do next season, so the Warriors need to figure out an answer for this.
Vucevic is as good as it gets in this regard. An accomplished offensive player who the Magic have built around in that area for years, he is now at best an above-average defender as well. He is not a plodding big man in the traditional sense, capable of making 3-pointers and guarding bigs outside of the paint as well. Nobody can really stop Davis, but Vucevic is built to try.
With Fultz, the Warriors would be getting a point guard who, on the surface at least, looks capable of playing next to Curry. Fultz worked well with the ball in hand for the Magic in what was his first full season there. He surpassed all expectations, and fans would be sad to see him go if this deal were to actually take place.
But he also didn’t appear demanding or need the ball to always make things happen. He is already a good defender for his position, and next to Curry that is a real plus. Fultz wouldn’t work well off the ball offensively, he is still a poor 3-point shooter who would shrink the floor for Curry and Thompson.
But if he held the ball, and he has shown in limited run already to have an eye for a pass, it would take some of the playmaking duties off Curry. Imagine both him and Thompson both buzzing around the court, with the unselfish Fultz looking for them at all times. Factor in Vucevic’s style of play, and this is a really enticing prospect. All it would take is giving up on Ball who doesn’t look like he would be a good fit next to Curry anyway. Rather, he would be a replacement type player.