Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic reportedly remain "reluctant" to consider offers for All-Star center Nikola Vucevic ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline next Thursday.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Friday that "teams have called" the Magic with interest in Vucevic, but have so far been turned away.

Vucevic is the biggest bright spot for a Magic squad that's in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. They rank 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-27 record in large part because of a constant stream of injuries that have made it difficult to find consistent success.

The 30-year-old USC product has averaged 24.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 threes while being one of just two Orlando players, along with guard Dwayne Bacon, to play in all 40 games. He's also shooting 48.8 percent from the field, including 41 percent from three-point range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SinlOLSho1s

That individual success earned him his second career All-Star Game appearance earlier this month.

Vucevic isn't a traditional deadline trade candidate since he's under contract through the 2022-23 season as part of a four-year, $100 million deal, so there's no pressure on the Magic front office to move him like there would be if his contract was set to expire.

That said, it's no surprise other teams are checking in on his potential availability as the Magic's playoff hopes fade and they trend toward seller status ahead of the deadline.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported Monday the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs are among the interested teams, but the asking price is predictably high with Orlando seeking a starter-level player and multiple first-round picks as the foundation of any offer.

"They'd have to get a motherload for him," a source told Fischer.

The Magic aren't as far away from being a playoff-caliber team as their record would suggest. Injuries to Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony have just made it hard to keep pace.

Trading a franchise cornerstone like Vucevic would likely yield an impressive return of assets, but it would also further cloud the team's outlook in the near future.

If the Orlando Magic trade Aaron Gordon before the March 25 deadline, he will reportedly come at a hefty price.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Magic are asking for a first-round pick and a "good young player" in exchange for Gordon.

Gordon has one year and about $16.4 million remaining on his contract beyond this season, meaning any team that acquires him won't just be getting a rental, which puts even losing teams unlikely to make the playoffs this season in the mix.

The 25-year-old Gordon has been limited to 21 games this season due to injury, but he recently returned to action and seems to be rounding into form.

While Gordon's scoring (13.7 points per game) and rebounding (6.9 per game) are at their lowest marks since the 2016-17 season, his 4.1 assists per contest are a career high, plus he's shooting a career-best 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The 2014 No. 4 overall draft pick out of Arizona seemed to be trending toward becoming an All-Star a few seasons ago when he averaged a career-high 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the 2017-18 campaign.

Although that hasn't come to fruition and possibly never will, there is no question that Gordon is a talented and versatile piece who could help any number of NBA teams this season and beyond.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported recently that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers are two teams with known interest in Gordon.

Mike Singer of the Denver Post added the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets both have interest as well.

Since the T-Wolves have the worst record in the NBA, they would be looking toward the future in acquiring Gordon. While it is difficult to say how he would fit, a core of Gordon, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell is tantalizing.

Meanwhile, the Blazers are tied for fifth in the Western Conference at 24-16 and would be adding Gordon to what is already a playoff-caliber team.

He would add some secondary scoring behind the likes of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, becoming a key role player along with Gary Trent Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter and Co.

The Magic are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak and own the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference this season at 13-27.

That means Orlando should be a seller at this year's deadline, and Gordon may be the most likely piece to move from the team along with guard Evan Fournier.

Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier has reportedly attracted the attention of "several teams" ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline next Thursday.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Friday opposing front offices have "expressed exploratory interest" in Fournier, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season.

The 28-year-old Frenchman has been sidelined multiple times during the 2020-21 campaign with back spasms and recently missed more time with a groin injury, but he's been a highly effective offensive contributor when healthy.

He's averaging a career-high 18.7 points along with 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 22 appearances. He's also knocking down 2.5 threes per game at 37.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Fournier ranks 13th among shooting guards in ESPN's offensive Real Plus-Minus, but he drops to 27th overall at the position because of lackluster defensive numbers.

His offensive prowess, including the ball-handling ability he's shown as the Magic deal with a rash of injuries to their point guards, combined with his expiring contract would seemingly make him an ideal target for a contender seeking to upgrade its bench.

Absent a contract extension, it also makes sense for Orlando to seek out deals since its starting to fade from the playoff picture with a 13-27 record, which ranks 14th in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic entered the season with some promise, but the consistent injury problems, led by the extended absences of Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony, have sapped most of that potential and created seemingly endless changes to the rotation.

So Orlando could be one of the key sellers leading up to the deadline, with Fournier and Gordon headlining the players who could be on the move over the next week as the front office shifts its focus to the future.

As the March 25 NBA trade deadline nears, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports the Orlando Magic are open for business with only Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz considered untouchable in potential discussions. 

Orlando is 13-26, three games above last place in the Eastern Conference, and has few internal options to turn things around. Notably, All-Star center Nikola Vucevic was not listed as unavailable, per Mannix, which could put one of the league's more versatile big men on the trade block. 

Vucevic is in the midst of a career-year, posting 25 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 39 contests while shooting 49 percent from the field with a career-best 41.6 percent from behind the arc. The 30-year-old still has two years left on his deal, too, which could make an attractive target for team's with a wide open window for contention. 

The USC product is set to earn $24 million in 2021-22 and $22 million 2022-23 before reaching free agency. 

Elsewhere on the roster, shooting guard Evan Fournier holds a contract that expires after this season while forward Aaron Gordon is scheduled to reach free agency next offseason and will earn $16.4 million in 2021-22. 

Terrence Ross is also reportedly available and at 29 still averaging 16 points per game. 

Mannix noted the Magic are interested in adding point guard Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it remains to be seen what the last-place T-Wolves would require in return. 

Orlando certainly has options as it weighs the next steps of its rebuild. Finding the right ones to take advantage of will prove their biggest challenge of the year as the deadline nears. 

The Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets reportedly have all reached out to the Orlando Magic with interest in forward Aaron Gordon ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline on March 25.

Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported Monday the Portland Trail Blazers are also a "dark horse squad" in the pursuit of Gordon, who carries a "substantial price tag" in trade talks.

Gordon returned from an ankle injury Thursday against the Miami Heat. He was productive, tallying nine points, two rebounds and a block in 14 minutes, but Orlando held him out of its next two games for injury management.

Interested teams will want to make sure he's healthy enough to play 20-25 minutes a game consistently down the stretch if they're going to meet the Magic's high asking price.

Gordon has averaged 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 threes across 20 appearances this season. He's shooting 42.5 percent from the field, including 36.5 percent from three-point range.

He's an obvious trade candidate with the Magic, who own the NBA's fourth-worst record (13-26), starting to look toward the future. His contract presents a hurdle, however, since he has an $18.1 million cap hit this season and a $16.4 million hit next season.

The Pistons (10-28) and Rockets (11-26) are also lingering near the bottom of the standings, so their interest suggests they view Gordon as a building block for next year.

Denver (22-16) would give the 25-year-old California native a chance to compete in the playoffs, but his minutes would likely be a bit sporadic. Michael Porter Jr. starts at the 4 with Paul Millsap and JaMychal Green providing depth, so Gordon would likely play some minutes at the 3.

Portland (22-16) presents a similar situation with Robert Covington and Carmelo Anthony handling most of the duties at power forward.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see more teams jump in the Gordon talks as the deadline moves closer, especially if he can get more time on the floor to prove he's healthy. At his best, he could be a terrific high-energy reserve weapon for a contender looking for more production off the bench.

The Orlando Magic have reportedly been "open to listening to calls" regarding a trade for Aaron Gordon, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams showing interest, per Charania.

Gordon averages 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in just 20 appearances this season. The 25-year-old has appeared in only one game since the start of February while dealing with an ankle injury.

He was initially diagnosed with a "severe left ankle sprain" with a timeline of four-to-six weeks. He played 14 minutes in the first game following the All-Star break but has then missed the last two for Orlando.

Despite his question marks, there is still interest in the talented forward.

Zach Lowe of ESPN reported in December "as many as 10, maybe more" teams called the Magic about a potential trade.

The 2014 No. 4 overall pick has showcased his athleticism in the Slam Dunk Contest as well as in games with the ability to help on both ends of the court. He was at his best in 2017-18 with averages of 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.

If he returns to this level of play, his $16.4 million salary in 2021-22 could be worth the risk.

Portland could use more production from the post as the 22-16 squad tries to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference. Carmelo Anthony provides a boost off the bench and Robert Covington is a quality all-around player, but Gordon would do even more to strengthen the frontcourt and take pressure off Damian Lillard.

Minnesota (9-30) is still rebuilding but could take a chance on a promising young player who could be a key part of the building core with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.

It seems for years now the Orlando Magic have debated moving on from their veteran core, transitioning past the remnants of former general manager Rob Hennigan's vision.

As this wonky 2020-21 NBA season inches closer to the March 25 trade deadline, a 13-25 record has yet again brought Orlando to this annual crossroads. And whether the circumstances are because of increasing pressure on the front office or a slew of injury misfortune, the Magic appear more willing than ever to engage in trade talks, according to league personnel polled by Bleacher Report. "They're claiming they're ready to swap it up," one Western Conference official said. "They know what they have doesn't move the needle."

Some rival teams believe Orlando can set the tone for this year's trade market, with Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross and—albeit to a far lesser extent—two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic each categorized as available. "They're listening on all those guys," one assistant general manager said. The name to watch closest of all: Aaron Gordon, considered to be particularly available, and the 25-year-old forward is also eager to welcome a change of scenery, sources said.

"They should sell," an Eastern Conference executive added. "They own their first-round pick. If you can get that pick into the top five, and you're adding back Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz next season, all of a sudden things could look very different."

Those whispers have increased since the calendar flipped to March, and that's likely stemmed from Orlando's significant conversations with Minnesota in early February. Until Gordon's left ankle sprain that sidelined him for six weeks, the Timberwolves and Magic were nearing an agreement on a package for Gordon that centered on Ricky Rubio and future draft capital, sources said.

Houston, Dallas, Denver and Golden State have also expressed notable interest in Gordon dating back to November's draft. Orlando's asking price appears reasonable, seeking a combination of picks and young players. It's uncertain what youngster the Timberwolves would have sent the Magic, but before the Nets acquired James Harden in mid-January, Brooklyn first presented an offer involving either Caris LeVert or Spencer Dinwiddie for Gordon, sources said, yet the Magic were seeking a higher 2020 draft asset than the Nets were able to secure.

Gordon doesn't turn 26 until September, and there's a belief among many talent evaluators that Orlando's regime and coaching changes during his seven-year tenure has left him with untapped offensive potential. There's still a year and change left on his contract, with a descending salary that drops to $16.4 million in 2021-22. Acquiring him now would also allow Gordon's new team to evaluate him closely before he becomes a free agent in 2022.

That's likely why the Rockets, Mavericks, Nuggets and Warriors all remain interested. With Denver, sources said its package would center around Bol Bol, yet there's an apparent hesitation from the Nuggets front office about having to potentially pay both Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. next summer. For Dallas, Dwight Powell has been rumored among league personnel as the centerpiece in any deal.

Some lead members of New Orleans' front office are also quite high on Gordon, sources said, but it's Houston that appears particularly motivated to land him. In several conversations before the Rockets moved Harden, sources said Houston asked interested teams to engage Orlando as a means for the Rockets to ultimately net Gordon, similar to how they ended up acquiring Victor Oladipo. That same line of thinking now seems to be taking place in Houston's early talks gauging Oladipo's own trade value. "Whatever happens with this Oladipo situation, they want to turn into Aaron Gordon," one person with knowledge of the situation said.

Vucevic's market does not seem nearly as vast. Boston, Charlotte and San Antonio have all been rumored among league executives as potential destinations, but the center's career season, and second All-Star selection, appears to have clouded these waters. "They'd have to get a motherload for him," another league source with knowledge of the situation said. Orlando would likely require a starting player and multiple first-round picks as a baseline for any Vucevic haul, sources said.

"It would have to be to a point where [a team] offers what someone hasn't yet been willing to offer," another Western Conference executive added.

Fair value for Vucevic lies somewhere short of what Jrue Holiday brought back for New Orleans —Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, two future first-round picks (via Milwaukee), right to swap two additional first-round picks (via Milwaukee)—yet more than what Gordon will likely bring Orlando. That allows for plenty of wiggle room in any Vucevic discussion.

And like Gordon, Vucevic's contract also deescalates in its final two years, dropping to $24 million in 2021-22 and $22 million in 2022-23. But Boston's overtures, for example, have fallen short of piquing Orlando's interest, sources said, and the same goes for the Celtics' conversations about Gordon. Plus, after recent weeks in which it seemed Boston was more interested in acquiring Harrison Barnes, league personnel now say Boston is primarily focused on landing LaMarcus Aldridge.

Fournier and Ross, of course, are far more attainable than Orlando's two biggest names, and both shooters can seemingly plug right into any system as complementary floor-spacers with additional strengths as secondary creators. Similar to Gordon and Vucevic, Ross' salary declines over the final two years of his contract, which pays him $12.5 million in 2021-22 and $11.5 million in 2022-23. "It's a very movable deal," one rival scout said.

Orlando could command a pair of second-round selections for both wings. Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Dallas, Denver and the Clippers are said to be searching for perimeter help. "All those teams are just trying to get better around the edges," one team analytics staffer said. Some executives B/R polled suggested the Magic could even draw a late first-round pick for either player if the right team feels inclined to pull such a pricey trigger, yet that would seem less likely in Fournier's case.

Fournier, in the last year of an expiring $17 million contract, may be difficult for a front office to surrender significant draft capital for, especially since at 28 he could depart in free agency this summer for another significant payday. Yet for an asset-strapped contender like the Bucks, Clippers or even Lakers, dealing a handful of second-rounders could make sense. In the current NBA landscape, there are also many paths to reacquiring picks on draft night.

"If you know you can get better, I would give up all my seconds. Who cares?" the assistant general manager said. "I think he's a good sixth man, maybe a fifth starter. One night he might give you 20, the next night he's giving you eight. But he definitely can put that thing in the basket, and you gotta guard him."

All the while, there are still opposing front offices skeptical the Magic will actually strike a deal. Orlando is still just four games from the 10th seed and this year's play-in tournament. Despite all of the Magic's willingness to hold conversations, few teams have generated significant traction in those calls. "You talk to them and it's just like, 'Well, you know, we're open to this…' It's just like talking in circles," an assistant general manager said. Another league source with knowledge of Orlando's talks added, "They don't pick up the phone and call."

Yet optimism does still persist that the Magic will finally choose the other option at this fork in the road. Gordon could feasibly become the biggest name to change teams before the deadline, and Orlando's front office has one notable, recent transaction on its resume of midseason moves. "They did pull the trigger on Markelle Fultz..." another Eastern Conference exec said.

Will Orlando strike again?

 

Jake Fischer covers the NBA for Bleacher Report and is the author of Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever.

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic has become the focus of trade rumors leading up to the 2021 NBA trade deadline on March 25, but he's content helping the Magic through their rebuilding project.

Vucevic told Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel he knew it wouldn't be an immediate rise to the top when he signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the organization in July 2019:

"I'm happy where I am. When I re-signed with the Magic, I knew it was going to be a process and I knew we weren't going to turn into a championship team right away... It's unfortunate we've had all of these injuries. I think we are headed in the right direction, but we have lost two very important players—Markelle [Fultz] and J.I. [Jonathan Isaac]—for the season. If we were healthier, our goals would be much different and we could achieve much more. But that's just part of the journey. Unexpected things are going to happen."

Vucevic is in the midst of a terrific statistical season, averaging a career-high 24.6 points along with 11.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 threes. He's shooting 48.8 percent from the field, including a career-high 41.3 percent from three.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SinlOLSho1s

Given that success, it's no surprise he's generated widespread attention ahead of the deadline.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs all "expressed significant interest" in the two-time All-Star.

The question is whether the Magic, who rank 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-25 record, would be willing to trade their franchise cornerstone to embark on a more full-scale rebuild.

So far it sounds like the answer is no. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Orlando has sent "strong signals" it plans to keep Vucevic.

The Magic do have some other players who could attract interest before the deadline. Aaron Gordon could be an attractive target for a contender seeking a high-impact player who could headline a second unit, while Evan Fournier has been impressive in between injury absences.

No one else can generate the type of return Vucevic would, though. It would be difficult to set up a complete roster overhaul, which typically requires cap space and a significant number of draft picks, without moving him.

So the Magic may ultimately decide to chalk the 2020-21 campaign up as one derailed by injuries and see what happens next year with a healthy roster before making any bold moves.

A pair of Orlando Magic veterans are reportedly grabbing the interest of teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the Charlotte Hornets "are among teams to express interest" in Evan Fournier, and the Denver Nuggets "have inquired" about Terrence Ross. 

Following a 13-23 first half of the season, teams have taken notice of the individual accomplishments of several players on the Magic. 

Ross has been a major piece off of the bench for Orlando, with 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists through 35 games, in which he averaged a career-high 29.5 minutes. He's had the most productive years of his career since he joined the Magic midway through the 2016-17 season from the Toronto Raptors, where he spent parts of five seasons after he was drafted with the No. 8 pick out of Washington in 2012.

The Nuggets may be looking to add depth at guard, since starter Gary Harris has only appeared in 19 games this season due to injury.

Fournier has been struggling through a groin strain, but he is Orlando's second most-productive scorer when healthy. His 18.5 points per game rank second to star Nikola Vucevic—who is also reportedly drawing trade interest from several teams, per O'Connor. 

If Fournier were to head to Charlotte, he would slot into a guard rotation that includes Terry Rozier, Malik Monk and LaMelo Ball, providing an extra body as Devonte' Graham continues to rehab from his knee injury. 

The Magic, who were bit by the injury bug at the end of last season, have little to lose by moving on and beginning a rebuild in what will soon become a lost season. 

The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets are reportedly interested in acquiring Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline.

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, those teams have "significant interest," but some front-office executives around the NBA are "skeptical" the Magic are willing to move the All-Star.

Vucevic has made the All-Star team in two of the last three seasons and has emerged as one of the most versatile big men in basketball. He's averaging 24.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists this year while shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from three-point range.

The Magic have Vucevic under contract at a manageable salary ($24 million in 2021-22 and $22 million in 2022-23), so there is no urgency to make a move. However, Orlando had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference in the first half (13-23) and lacks a path toward immediate contention. Trading Vucevic at the height of his value with two years left on his contract may be the best way to accelerate a rebuild.

The Heat seem least likely of the aforementioned teams to make a move for Vucevic given the presence of Bam Adebayo. However, San Antonio, Boston and Charlotte all have long-term voids at center that could be filled.

LaMarcus Aldridge has shown marked signs of decline in San Antonio and has an expiring contract. The Celtics and Hornets have been making do with below-average play at center, but Boston ranks among the season's biggest disappointments. Adding Vucevic could decrease the burden on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Hornets have several expiring contracts that could make the money work and may want to capitalize on their 17-18 start. Vucevic would instantly improve the center spot and add further offensive versatility to a team that has Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball playing well.