The Magic will be without a pair of key rotation players when their playoff series with the Bucks opens this afternoon, having announced today that Aaron Gordon (strained left hamstring) and Michael Carter-Williams (strained left foot tendon) are both out (Twitter link).
Gordon, who suffered his hamstring injury on August 5 vs. Toronto, missed Orlando’s last four seeding games. He had initially been listed as questionable, and there’s still optimism that he’ll return at some point during the series, but he won’t play on Tuesday.
As for Carter-Williams, he has been on the shelf since August 4 due to his foot injury. His absence doesn’t come as a surprise, as he was previously listed as doubtful.
The Magic are also missing Jonathan Isaac (torn ACL), Al-Farouq Aminu (knee surgery), and Mohamed Bamba (COVID-19 complications), leaving the East’s No. 8 seed awfully shorthanded in the first game of what could be a brief series against the Bucks, who owned the NBA’s best record in 2019/20.
With Gordon unavailable, Gary Clark will start for the Magic and will get the first crack at guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, head coach Steve Clifford said today (Twitter link via Josh Robbins of The Athletic). The hope is that Gordon will be able to return for Game 2, Clifford added (Twitter link via Robbins).
I still believe Gordon is a strong possibility for Warriors. They can do it for a player and future #1. Fits right into TE slot. He’s a good fit at SF. Does not need ball and still will get you numbers. Plus he plays D and can help Green. He can also play when Green is on bench. Much better chemistry mix than Wiggins. Now they can draft BTA. Wiseman, Edwards, Toppin. And also move Wiggins. Now this bocces a monster in the west. I believe Warriors will use TE. Cause it maximizes a strong team. Going into new arena. And for 4 yr run at title. Should be wild Wild West next yr. Can’t wait for draft.
All sounds good but how can you trade away Wiggins? Who can absorb 25 million dollars? Without sending 25 million dollars back?
Responding to KnickerbockerAl, clicked wrong “reply”
Most people seem to think that Golden State has golden trees that grow money to pay any $50M or higher tax bill they would face if they choose to use their $17M trade exception without finding a way to reduce their already enormous payroll.
GSW can TPE for Fournier at $17mil. They would have to trade for Gordon at $18mil+ I think.
Say, Wiggins, Paschall, Poole ($33.1) & the high first for:
Gordon, Fournier, & Birch ($38.1). Many variations possible. I suspect GSW will hang on to Looney but back him up. Augustin & MCW are FA. These are my calculations, so be warned.
A trade could save money if say, Aminu not Fournier; anyway will leave the TPE.
Myers said he’s not talking trade yet.
I think if Covington can play the 5, so can Gordon, at least vs HOU.
Technically they have Covington playing the 4 and Tucker at the 5, despite being just 6-5. Height isn’t really as important as weight when you talk about what position someone plays. Even though Covington is two inches taller than Tucker, he is also almost 40 pounds lighter.