The Orlando Magic seemed to have a patient and well-defined rebuilding plan after finally deciding to trade an unhappy Dwight Howard in the summer of 2012. Using draft picks and their currents assets, they drafted or acquired Nikola Vucevic (in the Howard trade), Tobias Harris, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton to build around for the future. Although they weren’t able to reach playoff contention levels in that time period, they seemed to have a defined plan and a vision for the future.
Then February of 2016 happened, the Magic dealt Harris for what amounted to nothing for Tobias Harris, traded Victor Oladipo in a package for Serge Ibaka and used their free agency money to acquire two more front court players in Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green.
All this has gotten them is an 18-28 record and out of playoff contention team with a dire need for wing help and a need to trade one of their front court assets.
Now the Magic are scrambling for more shooting and are clearly in the market for a less offensively challenged point guard than Elfrid Payton. This apparently motivated them to offer the Miami Heat Nikola Vucevic and their first round draft pick for 30-year-old point guard Goran Dragic.
Here is the statement from ESPN Reporter Marc Stein:
“Orlando, according to league sources, recently tried to engage Miami on a Goran Dragic deal in which the Magic were said to be offering center Nikola Vucevic and a future first-round pick.”
Why I understand the desire for a more offensively capable point guard (although Elfrid Payton has picked it up lately) and dealing Vucevic is not a bad idea if it allows for more minutes for Aaron Gordon and Bismack Biyombo, trading for a 30-year-old point guard who’s game is predicated on his quickness, is owed $54 million over the next three seasons and doesn’t make your team considerably better is a very short sided and unnecessary decision in my opinion.
The Magic should be thankful the Heat didn’t unload Dragic on them while taking their first round draft pick in what should be a deeper draft.
