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Orlando Magic: 3 trade candidates before the deadline

By Luke Duffy

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 116-108 at TD Garden on April 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 116-108 at TD Garden on April 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
NBA trade deadline, Orlando Magic (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

3. Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier is the right place to start on this list because he straddles the line between being a member of the Orlando Magic’s core, but also one of their most likely, or ideal, players to move. We say this because Fournier is in the final year of his current deal, and can hit unrestricted free agency this summer.

So if Fournier were to be moved, it would be for one of two reasons. The first would be as a rental for a contending team to potentially push them over the top. Think about what he could bring to the Utah Jazz for example. The second is so that another franchise, most likely one not near the top of the pile, can get off some contracts of their own in trading for Fournier’s expiring.

The only issue there is that by and large front offices are savvier than they used to be, and these horrendous contracts, which would need to have picks attached for the Magic to take on, aren’t as plentiful as they used to be. There’s also the small issue of the Magic actually regressing without Fournier as well if he left.

As much as he divides opinion, nobody on the roster can create like Fournier can. It may ultimately be the main reason the Magic actually bring him back on another deal this offseason, a scary thought for some. But despite fans not always loving what he does on the court, he absolutely has value around the league.

Given that the front office may want to get off the idea of having to make a decision on Fournier in the summer, it is highly likely he is available for the right price. The organization still seems committed to winning and building on the back-to-back postseason appearances of the last two years, so they may be happy to take a veteran back in return as well.

Getting a young player however to add to Fultz, Isaac, Chuma Okeke and whoever they take this summer would put the franchise in a strong position to build towards something more long-lasting and with a higher ceiling in the future. Moving Fournier now could be the perfect moment to set that plan in motion.

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