The Magic have been at the center of a pair of intriguing early-season reports this week, with a Wednesday report suggesting Orlando has expressed interest in DeMar DeRozan, while a Friday story indicated that teams are monitoring Aaron Gordon with potential interest in a trade.
That report on Gordon, from Shams Charania of The Athletic, made it clear that the Magic have expressed no interest in moving the young forward. However, Sean Deveney of Forbes.com hears that there are some concerns that Gordon might not fit be an ideal long-term fit alongside Jonathan Isaac.
Could the Magic and Spurs explore a trade centered around DeRozan and Gordon then? Probably not, according to Deveney, who writes that the Magic would be reluctant to give up a significant package for the Spurs’ guard, who could reach the free agent market next summer if he turns down his 2020/21 player option. Even if Orlando did become open to moving Gordon, it wouldn’t be for a rental.
Here’s more on the Magic, via Deveney:
- While the Magic have starting looking into possible trades to address their offense, no deals are around the corner, a source with knowledge of the club’s thinking tells Deveney. “You’ve got a lot of players dealing with some shooting slumps and that is going to turn around, those players are going to get back to their usual percentages,” that source said. “So everyone does due diligence on the market but it doesn’t seem like anything is about to come down. If you make a move now with the offense at a low point, it’s like you’re selling low. See who comes back, who bounces back. Then go from there. It’s far away and a lot can change.”
- Deveney identifies D’Angelo Russell as one player who could pique the Magic’s interest once he becomes trade-eligible, since Orlando considered him in free agency this past summer.
- For now, Orlando is banking on offensive improvements from within. As Deveney outlines, the team is willing to be patient with young players like Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, since there are indications that Fultz’s shot could come around and that Isaac is “just scratching the surface of his offensive potential.”
A guy entering his prime for one leaving his seems short sighted unless Orlando is getting something else but seems very unlikely.
I’ve said for ages Aaron Gordon doesn’t suit the direction Orlando is heading. I think he’s still hot lots to unlock and can really improve but it won’t happen in Orlando.
I like the idea of Gordon for DeRozan if not another really differ idea
Orlando:Cam Reddish, Allen Crabbe 2xSecond Rounders
Indiana: Aaron Gordon
Atlanta: Myles Turner
Orlando get a back up shooter in Crabbe and it gives them salary space, plus it gets Cam Reddish as a SG/SF.
They also get some picks from the hawks.
Indy gets rid of one of its two centres and gets back its future PF. They have a core of Brogdan Oli Warren Gordon Sabonis.
Atlanta get a centre that suits them perfectly. Turner can block shots in close, help space the floor on offence and set screens for Trae. They give up some cap space and a young player who is stuck behind Hueter and Hunter anyways.
Will Gordon ever break out or is that just his look?
Under a coach like Pop I think he pops and become a possibly all star. If he was to go to say Indy then I think he makes them better they have a good finals run but maybe he doesn’t get much better.
I only think he gets worse in Orlando is he stays.
Gordon so far is down in points, assists, steals and all of his percentages this year. He’s just not a good fit with Issacs and Vuce
I like the idea of waiting and seeing who leads them back. But if there’s some GM who would sacrice for Bamba, let him.
What about a Gordon (plus salary) to Miami for Waiters (plus james johnson and/or Meyers leonard for salary matching)? Saves Orlando money and gets them a guard that can get to the rim, and shoot. Gives the Heat help at the 4 they need
I think Dallas or Portland could also make sense, although I dont think Portland matches up salary wise
I would say Waiters has negative value at this point and it seems unlikely anyone would want him in a trade. I could be wrong, but he is currently suspended and seems like someone most teams would want to avoid
Aaron Gordon’s contract isnt great. I dont think he brings back that much value. Waiters is only suspended for something he had previously done, which should have been over, but b/c of the public gummy incident, they had to do something. Hes still in great shape, and could help Orlando in areas of need. James Johnson gives them a replacement that can also play some small ball 5 next to Issac, and fits into their defense, or Leonard spaces the floor, which helps their issues, and plays good enough defense. His contract also is expiring
Not saying it’s a great potential return, but I think I it’s along the lines of something that would be a return, maybe throwing in a draft pick.
A. Gordon contract is pretty fair he earns under 20 mild and he averages about 16-7-4, can shoot some 3’s, is hyper athletic and still has more developing to do. No way they give him up for cheap. They don’t want to take back D. Waiters who is overpaid at almost 13 mil while being an issue off the court.
Magic have a need for a SF, need for back up/replacement for Fournier and as a group some floor spacing.
DeRozen is good but miscast in San Antonio next to Aldridge. A Gordon-DeRozen swap makes a lot of sense for both. Obviously the quibbling will come down to who thinks they need at add more to the package/not.