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The 2016 NBA Draft was an active one for the Orlando Magic.
Holding the 11th pick, the Magic went with a safe selection, taking Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis to help add to their front court. However, minutes after after putting on the Magic's official draft cap, Sabonis, along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova were on the move to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Serge Ibaka,
With two second round selections, the Magic weren't done, adding Stephen Zimmerman with the 41st pick before trading the 47th pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2019 second round pick and cash considerations.
Now, just a week away from the beginning of free agency, the Magic's roster sits at nine players for Frank Vogel's inaugural season at the helm.
| Starter | Reserve | Situational | |
| PG | Elfrid Payton | C.J. Watson | Shabazz Napier |
| SG | Mario Hezonja | Devyn Marble | |
| SF | Aaron Gordon | Devyn Marble | |
| PF | Serge Ibaka | Aaron Gordon | |
| C | Nikola Vucevic | Stephen Zimmerman |
The addition of Ibaka slides Aaron Gordon down to the three, a position he can play, but might not thrive at as much as he would at power forward. The team also has holes across the board, with needs at shooting guard, small forward, power forward and even center.
With Evan Fournier, Jason Smith, Dewayne Dedmon and Andrew Nicholson all hitting free agency, the Magic will have some decisions to make regarding some mainstays on their roster from this season. Of the group, Fournier is the most likely to return. Since prior to last season the team has said they plan to keep Fournier, and general manager Rob Hennigan echoed those statements following Thursday night's trades.
Add in the fact that Oladipo, the teams starting shooting guard is out of the picture now, and keeping Fournier is a must for the Magic, no matter what the price may be.
As for Smith, Dedmon and Nicholson, there's a chance, at the least, that two of the three could return. All would fill needs at either power forward or center, and likely come at reasonable prices, allowing the Magic to still have the flexibility to go and make a splash in free agency.
The next month will be important for the Magic as they work to round out their roster heading into the dog days of the NBA's offseason. They have money, intriguing pieces and no state income tax, which could help them as they add to their core.