UnFadeable21 wrote:I was looking at the magic board and on the Athletic and all their fans say they want to rebuild because next season Brooklyn is gonna be in the playoffs essentially kicking out Orlando. Orlando’s current core is basically 9-10th seed and with Isaac being out for the full year, it might be better to tank and get ready for the 2021-22 season.
Johnson gives them an expiring to free up 16 million for the stacked 2021-22 free agency class.
The 17th pick combined with their own 15th pick could be used together to get into the top 10 or draft two rookies in the middle of the draft where most draft experts say is the strong and best spot to be in the middle of the first round.
I’m not the biggest fan of Aaron Gordon, and I feel his questionable three point shooting will cause opposing defenses to sag and reduce the unique floor stretching ability Towns gives us at center. I also think it’s a very bad sign that he hasn’t improved in the last four years - almost every player gets better than they were their sophomore season. That said, if the price is the #17 and an expiring, I think that’s fine. Two things though.
As a secret Magic fan, I am with them that ai want a rebuild too. I will admit it’s easier for internet fans to say, “go all in, or all out” then people with jobs in the actual business, who’s bottom line is revenues, ticket sales, brand image, etc. Even if many fans want a full rebuild, that does not seem to be the direction of the front office, who continued to pay “merely adequate” players like Vucevic and Ross, and seem content with barely making the playoffs in the East.
Second, before Isaac was hurt, trading for Gordon fit Rosas style of picking up undervalued assets. With Isaac, Gordon was facing a position squeeze, and had to spend a great deal of time playing out of position. Now that Isaac will likely miss the whole next year, Gordon can play his natural position. Even if the Magic front office wanted to rebuild, which I doubt, they would be wise to wise to hold onto Gordon until the trade deadline, give him all the minutes he wants, and boost his trade value. If all we have to offer is #17 (a sign and trade for a player under the MLE holds no value), I think the Magic should hold, and wait and see.
