Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic will reportedly miss at least the next four weeks due to an ankle injury. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the news. Vucevic went down in Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors, finishing with three points, five rebounds and five assists in 11 minutes. The big man had been putting up numbers similar to his 2019 All-Star campaign, averaging 17.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 blocks to stand out as one of the NBA's most versatile bigs.

The Magic also lost Aaron Gordon to an ankle injury in that contest, though no long-term prognosis has been given. Assuming Gordon at least misses a couple of games—and perhaps longer—this will be an opportunity for fantasy owners to hopefully get production from some of their other young bigs.

Jonathan Isaac

Isaac should already be owned in every season-long format, but he has the best chance to break out as a value in DFS. The third-year forward finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks against Toronto, numbers that may wind up holding up in the short term. There is going to be an 18-rebound void that needs to be filled every night, and Isaac has already shown signs of a major leap on the defensive end.

Provided he stays a mid-tier choice in nightly salary, Isaac should become a nightly double-double threat who also gets you two or three blocks per night.

Mo Bamba

Let's not mince words here: Bamba has been a huge disappointment since arriving in Orlando. He's seemingly made no progress from Year 1 to Year 2 through 12 games and is shooting a ghastly 33.9 percent from the floor as a 7-foot big man.

If he's going to flash as an NBA player, now is the time to get started. Vucevic's injury should force him into extended minutes and give him a chance to work through his growing pains for the first time in his NBA career. We'll have to see how the center minutes are distributed, but Bamba will have every opportunity to become a valuable fantasy piece—particularly in the rebounds and blocks categories.

It'll say a lot about where the Magic see him as a player if Khem Birch winds up getting those vacated minutes instead. 

The Orlando Magic have received bad news about the ankle injury Nikola Vucevic suffered during Wednesday's 113-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors as the team announced its star big man suffered a right ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium originally reported the Magic were expected to be without their All-Star center for at least four weeks.

Vucevic was removed from the game in the second quarter when he appeared to roll his ankle while trying to block a shot by Norman Powell.

He told reporters after the game:

"It was really painful when it happened. I'm not sure if I stepped on (Norman Powell's) foot or if my leg just got tangled up with his leg, but it felt like my ankle went, stopped and then went all the way. That's when I really felt it and it was really painful. It was hard for me to put any pressure on it. I'm supposed to get an MRI (on Thursday) and I'll know more after that."

The Magic also lost Aaron Gordon to a sprained ankle, leaving their roster without two starters as they look to turn around a disappointing 6-8 start to the season.

Orlando's offense ranks 24th in efficiency and last in scoring with 101.9 points per contest.

Vucevic leads the Magic with 11.6 rebounds per game and is tied with Evan Fournier as the team's top scorer with 17.1 points.

An extended absence for Vucevic will thrust Mo Bamba and Khem Birch into bigger roles for head coach Steve Clifford. Bamba, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 draft, will likely be the team's starting center going forward.

Multiple teams are reportedly interested in Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon should he become available on the trade market.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, those teams are monitoring Gordon, even though the Magic have shown no interest in trading him.

Gordon is in the midst of his sixth NBA season, and he signed a four-year, $80 million contract to remain with the Magic last year.

Although he missed 24 games in 2017-18, Gordon enjoyed a career year in terms of per-game averages with 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds while also making two three-pointers per game. The Arizona product missed only four games last season, but his averages dipped a bit to 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 trifectas.

Through 11 games this season, the 6'8", 235-pound forward's numbers are down again, as he is averaging 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 treys.

The Magic are also struggling as a whole with a 4-7 record after going 42-40 last season and reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.

While Gordon is an NBA veteran, he is still just 24 years of age, which means he may still have some untapped potential that another team could unlock. It can be argued that the 2014 No. 4 overall draft pick's ceiling is somewhat limited in Orlando due to the team's personnel.

Center Nikola Vucevic is the Magic's top player, which leaves the likes of Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and Al-Farouq Aminu to battle for playing time alongside him.

Gordon is averaging 31.1 minutes per game this season, which is down nearly three from last season.

Orlando's Achilles' heel is clearly its backcourt, as there are several question marks surrounding its guards aside from starting shooting guard Evan Fournier. The jury is still out on former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, and veteran D.J. Augustin is likely best suited as a bench player.

If the Magic can get a quality guard in return for Gordon and open up some playing time for its other forwards in the process, it may be worth exploring from general manager John Hammond's perspective.

The Orlando Magic have reportedly "expressed interest" in a trade for San Antonio Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan as they attempt to bolster their last-ranked offense.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported Wednesday that "it would surprise none of the front-office executives" he spoke with if the Spurs opt to move DeRozan.

There are a couple of factors that suggest San Antonio would at least consider offers for the four-time All-Star before the February trade deadline.

DeRozan can utilize a player option in his five-year, $139 million contract to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2019-20 season. The Spurs in the post-Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili era don't have the star power and depth to lose a player of DeRozan's caliber without getting anything in return.

In October, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported the sides were "quite a ways apart" in extension talks.

The Spurs also feature promising youth in the backcourt. Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes and Lonnie Walker IV comprise a high-upside group that pairs with veterans Patty Mills and Marco Belinelli. Rudy Gay can also play on the wing, though without DeRozan, they'd likely use a lot of three-guard looks like they do with DeRozan.

San Antonio is in a difficult spot because it has enough talent to compete for a playoff berth, even in the loaded Western Conference, but it's not in a position to seriously contend for a championship given its lack of elite players in a league dominated by them, especially in the postseason.

So moving DeRozan, whose future with the franchise is uncertain even without a trade, would make sense. The Spurs could acquire pieces for the future without giving up on this season since they'd still have no shortage of options in the backcourt and on the wing.

Meanwhile, the Magic rank first in points allowed per game (99.3) and sixth in opponents' shooting percentage (43.1 percent), but their struggling offense (98.1 PPG, 30th; 41.9 FG%, 29th) has resulted in a 3-7 start.

DeRozan would become the go-to scorer on a roster with plenty of frontcourt depth but a limited number of reliable guard and wing contributors. The shooting struggles of Terrence Ross (32.5 percent) have amplified the need for more firepower alongside Evan Fournier.

The Orlando Magic have reached out to the league in an effort to get the remaining money on Timofey Mozgov's contract removed from their books under the league's career-ending injury and illness provisions, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Orlando acquired Mozgov from the Charlotte Hornets in July 2018. He never played a game for the team, though, and was ultimately waived on July 6, 2019.

Mozgov signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent in the summer of 2016 after helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first-ever championship the previous season. He spent just one season in L.A. before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June 2017 alongside former No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell.

He spent one season in Brooklyn before being dealt to Charlotte, only to be moved to Orlando shortly after.

The 7'1", 275-pound center underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in his January, an injury that caused him to never see the court in Orlando.

Prior to being waived, Mozgov was set to make $16.7 million 2019-20. The Magic opted to stretch his salary, though, in order to lower the cap hit for this season, per The Athletic's Josh Robbins:

That allowed the team to re-sign restricted center Khem Birch.

The 33-year-old big man has since returned to Russia, where he signed a contract to play for Khimki Moscow.

Mozgov played eight seasons in the NBA, averaging 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds for his career.

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz's fresh start has started positively, with head coach Steve Clifford and a few teammates offering praise after his first practice Tuesday.

"He did a good job," Clifford told reporters (h/t Mike Cali of Orlando Pinstriped Post). "His defense was very good. He had a lot of good possessions. He's hard to keep out of the paint. He's so good with the ball. He doesn't need a lot of room. And he's very, very clever. ... The more you watch him, he knows basketball. He has high IQ."

The Magic acquired Fultz from the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 7.

The first overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft has played just 33 regular-season games because of a scapular muscle imbalance and thoracic outlet syndrome. He's posted 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 20.6 minutes per contest.

Fultz didn't take the court for Orlando last season as he recovered from his shoulder injury, but he's made big strides toward a return, telling Jake Chapman of Magic Radio on Wednesday that his shoulder feels "100 percent different."

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac and center Nikola Vucevic also weighed in (h/t Cali).

"I thought he looked fantastic," Isaac said. "Got a couple of pull-up jumpers to go. But just outside of that I think his ability to get into the lane, his ability to just be crafty and already able to manipulate the offense in the way that he wants and when he is just learning it. I definitely saw that, and I enjoyed being on his team.

"For somebody so big, he plays really loose and he flows, and his ball handling is really decent."

Fultz's shot will be worth watching this season after his struggles over the last two seasons.

Injuries appeared to have significantly affected Fultz's form: The ex-Washington star made only 41.4 percent of his field goals and 53.4 percent of his free throws. He also took just 15 three-pointers, making four.

But Tuesday, Fultz looked more like the player who dominated in his one season in college, wherein he averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

"He played very well," Vucevic said. "He looked comfortable out there. He was pushing the ball, getting into the paint, scoring. Hit a couple of mid-range jumpers. Making plays. He's a guy that can really make plays for himself and others. Big body. Get to the hoop. He has a size advantage over many guards. He can definitely be great for us."

Fultz has shown glimpses of his potential, like when he registered a 13-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in 25 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks to close the 2017-18 regular season.

Signs point to improvement, and we may get a look at him shortly. Per Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Fultz said his goal is to play in the Magic's preseason-opening game against the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

The Orlando Magic reportedly have no intention of trading away forward Jonathan Isaac.

"It's hard to overstate how much the Magic love Isaac," Zach Lowe of ESPN reported. "They have batted away any Isaac trade inquiries, sources say. He has quickly become a standard-bearer of the culture president Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond want to nurture."

The 2017 No. 6 overall pick hasn't quite hit his potential but is coming off a solid 2018-19 season where he averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

He's been overshadowed by others in a loaded 2017 draft class—from top players like Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and De'Aaron Fox to big names like Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz—but Isaac has already proved to be a difference-maker defensively.

The 21-year-old ranked 36th in the NBA in defensive win shares last season, per Basketball Reference, and was one of just 13 players to average 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

Considering his youth and skill set as a 6'10" player with great athleticism, there is no limit to his potential on the defensive end of the court.

Adding in his emerging offensive game, it's easy to understand why there's a heavy trade market for Isaac as well as why the Magic want to keep him.

Orlando reached the playoffs last season and still has several high-upside players on the roster, including Isaac, Fultz and Mo Bamba. If these players reach their potential, the squad could become an Eastern Conference contender before long.

Injuries set back the beginning of Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz's NBA tenure, but a brighter future may be waiting after the ex-Washington star reportedly enlisted future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant to help rejuvenate his pro career.  

Per TMZ Sports on Thursday, Fultz "spent a good chunk of the summer" at Bryant's MAMBA Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. The 21-year-old worked with the facility's trainers and received advice from Bryant about the "Mamba mentality," which the ex-Los Angeles Laker defines as the process to "constantly try to be the best version of yourself."

MSA describes itself as follows on its website:

"MAMBA Sports Academy provides effective, safe and transparent human performance training to develop athletes to the peak of their potential. The Academy enlists diverse experts to support youth, amateur and elite athletes with a full-circle approach including body, performance and mind training. MAMBA Sports Academy operates three distinct business units; physical training academies, a sports focused venture lab, and a charitable foundation, called the MAMBA Sports Foundation. Mamba Sports Academy is a joint business venture in holistic athletic training between NBA legend Kobe Bryant and Sports Academy’s CEO Chad Faulkner."

Fultz enjoyed a productive freshman season at the University of Washington, averaging 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds. The Philadelphia 76ers then traded with the Boston Celtics to move up two spots and select the ex-Huskies guard with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017.

However, a scapular muscle imbalance during his rookie season and thoracic outlet syndrome in 2018-19 forced him off the court for a large portion of his 76ers career. Fultz played just 33 regular-season games over the two years, averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 20.6 minutes per contest.

The injuries clearly affected Fultz's shot, as he made just 41.4 percent of his field goals and 53.4 percent of his free throws. After shooting 41.3 percent on three-pointers in college, he also went just 4-of-15 from deep.

The 76ers traded Fultz to the Orlando Magic on Feb. 7, 2019, and he sat out the rest of the season. However, he is making significant progress, telling Jake Chapman of Magic Radio that his shoulder feels "100 percent different." 

Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said Fultz will not have restrictions for training camp, which will begin Oct. 1. 

Despite missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Markelle Fultz is set to be a full participant in the Orlando Magic's training camp beginning Oct. 1, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

"We don't have any restrictions in place right now (for Fultz) for training camp," president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said Wednesday, per John Denton of the team's official site. "... Obviously, he hasn't been through this in a long time and it's new terrain, but for now there are no restrictions."

The point guard was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Magic in February but did not appear with his new team while recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome. He has played just 33 games in two seasons since being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The Magic have remained patient with the 21-year-old while attempting to get him back to full strength.

"He's so talented, but just because of the situation [with his injured shoulder], it's just about him taking it day-by-day," head coach Steve Clifford said earlier this month, per Denton. "Seeing how things have progressed have helped him, and that's just the smart way to go for now."

The fact that he is able to participate in training camp should be encouraging, although it's good to temper expectations, considering his recent history.

Fultz had the skill set of a superstar at Washington, averaging 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game during his one collegiate season, but we haven't seen his full abilities on display yet at the NBA level.

He discussed his future with the team Wednesday, via Denton:

"I've played 33 games in two years and I'm basically still a rookie. But at the same time, my mental, my body and my willingness to be coachable is more than enough. That's going to do its job for me. I was the No. 1 pick and that says enough. I'm just going to work hard. I know I'm not going to be perfect, Coach (Steve Clifford) knows that I'm not going to be perfect & my teammates know I'm not going to be perfect. But as long as I'm working hard, I think nobody will have a problem with me."

Orlando not only traded for him but also picked up his fourth-year option, showing the organization believes in his abilities. It will be up to Fultz to stay healthy and live up to expectations.

The Orlando Magic will use a "redshirt" season on first-round pick Chuma Okeke, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium on Monday.

The Magic took Okeke with the 16th overall pick, despite the then-20-year-old tearing his ACL during Auburn's NCAA tournament run in the Sweet 16. The deal will give Okeke a chance to use Magic facilities while recovering before signing his contract next season with a higher base.

Prior to his injury, Okeke was averaging 12.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game across 38 starts. His sophomore season was a marked improvement over his freshman campaign.

According to SB Nation's Orlando Pinstriped Post, Okeke was behind only top overall pick Zion Williamson in steals, steal percentage, offensive rebound percentage and box plus-minus among frontcourt players drafted in the first 16 selections.

While Okeke is still rehabilitating his knee, The Ringer's Chris Vernon labeled the 6'8", 230-pound forward as one of six players from the 2019 draft who will not fail in the pros.

"Okeke is perfect for the NBA today," Vernon wrote. "Very skilled. Fantastic defender. Good athlete. He is the total package."

Once fully healthy, presumably in 2020-21, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compared Okeke to Robert Covington and projected him to develop into at least a "three-and-D starting role player":

"As long as Okeke's recovery goes smoothly, he should eventually fill a three-and-D role at the worst. His jump shot and defensive versatility are easy to buy and theoretically create a high floor. His ceiling could mean Okeke develops into Robert Covington 2.0—an elite role player who doesn't have to create to hold significant value."

Until then, the Magic have Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Al-Farouq Aminu, Wes Iwundu, Amile Jefferson, DaQuan Jeffries and Vic Law at forward, along with Mo Bamba, Khem Birch and newly signed All-Star Nikola Vucevic at center.