3 overreactions to the Orlando Magic getting the first-overall pick
By Luke Duffy
3 overreactions to the Orlando Magic getting the first-overall pick: 2. Big trades are coming
No matter who the Magic pick, this will put in motion the beginning of the end for a number of players on the team. The franchise had a first rebuild that was centered around Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba, and that did not get off the ground. Instead, Bamba has never really kicked on, and Isaac hasn’t played in two full seasons.
The front office then did a reboot on this, selecting Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner last year to pair with Cole Anthony from the year before and Wendell Carter Jr. from the trade that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls. If we assume they are going to take Holmgren for now, just imagine him next to that collection of young talent.
Markelle Fultz may have been part of the first rebuild, but he has a future in Orlando. He is too talented and moves the needle too much when on the court to give up on. The Magic have a choice to make on whether or not to pay Bamba, but they shouldn’t. Instead, look for them to move on form him and see if they can get anything at all for Isaac.
His trade value is on the floor right now, but he’s intriguing enough for another franchise to at least enquire about him. As great a locker room presence as Terrence Ross is, he should be moved for either a couple of picks or another player on a similar timeline to this group in order to accelerate their rebuild.
RJ Hampton has a lot of redeemable qualities and is still only 21. But there are going to be tough decisions made, and players squeezed out of the rotation. Right now, it looks like Hampton could be that fall guy if the backcourt rotation revolves around Fultz and Suggs. Not everybody can get paid and get the role they want, and with a first overall pick coming, changes will be made.