Now before I have people wanting to burn my avatar in effigy, I must first make a disclaimer. Although I don't agree with the coaching direction currently, I by no means wish for the Magic to drop to the bottom of the standings and not make the playoffs. If the team is on they can compete with any team in the NBA in a given series and only three teams (Thunder, Heat, Bulls) give me cause to worry. This is just a hypothetical look towards the future and the options the team could have. After this season is over the Magic will have more on their plate than most other teams in the league. Front Office positions, morale, coaching evaluations, of course Howard and lastly an assessment of the players on the team. Whether it's due to Otis' ability as a GM to make more moves or the pieces we have not having much value on the market, I think it can be determined we're going to either need another team or someone very imaginative to bring another top player to the roster. That is why I'm posing this question, would the Magic be better off being in the lottery? If it were to happen there could be some advantages: 1. Possibly getting in the top three and drafting an immediate impact player. 2. Getting a pick that can be used to trade down and receive a player in return. 3. Combining that pick with a player on the roster to get the impact player we may need. But some negatives to the question could be among others: 1. Morale will be at an all time low and season ticket holders may think twice next year 2. The cleaning of house may go overboard thereby decimating an already meager front office 3. We end up with one of the lower lottery picks and decrease any bargaining power 4. Upcoming free agents currently interested in the Magic may change their minds So while it would be unthinkable for this team to drop so far after some promise, would they be better off than going deep in to the playoffs, possibly losing and receiving a pick in the low twenties again? Have at it!