Do You Believe in Magic Podcast, Episode 5: One month until the trade deadline

Magic fans have begun eyeing the trade deadline following a 12-28 start that concluded with a 131-127 last ditch effort against the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

The Magic have now seen 24 out of 28 games slip through their collective fingers, and at nine games back of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, it is officially time to think long term.

Jeff Weltman sat down with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel to discuss the trade value of the Orlando Magic’s collection of “assets,” discuss injury woes, and to give a vote of confidence to Head Coach Frank Vogel.

While things may have played out differently without the unfortunate losses of Terrence Ross, Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon to significant time, it helped reveal a larger issue:

The Magic are not built to contend.

Weltman confessed that while continuity builds success, this squad has not built enough equity to deserve that chance.

So we look to the trade market where the Magic are said to be significant players.

However, what assets can they truly move?

Bismack Biyombo’s two years and $34 million have become a massive weight that no partner should be willing to lift.

So too is DJ Augustin’s remaining year at $7.5 million. Could Fournier be desired despite his heavy two years, $34 million? He hasn’t proven it lately, leading the Magic to the worst offensive rating in the NBA following his five game return (with the exception of the Cavaliers performance).

Ross could be an attractive piece, as well as Vucevic. But with a month to the day until the trade deadline, the clock is furiously ticking.

Jonathon Simmons could be attractive at two years $12.6 million including the second season being a team option. And a team just might want to take a flyer on Elfrid Payton and claim right over his restricted free agency.

So should they make a move? Should they play themselves deeper into the lottery? Should they attempt to achieve the eighth playoff spot thereby making their players more desirable this summer?

We ask Zach Oliver these questions and more. Join us, and please retweet and subscribe! We need your help getting this puppy started. Thank you for reading!