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The clock is ticking.
For some members of the Magic, their win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday could very well have been their final game in an Orlando uniform.
So, with the trade deadline roughly 24 hours away, lets take a look at which players on the Magic have the best odds of being included in a trade should Jeff Weltman and John Hammond decide to make one....or more.
Jonathan Isaac, Wesley Iwundu, Khem Birch: 100 to 1 odds
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Rookies under team control. Not going anywhere.
D.J. Augustin, Terrence Ross: 75 to 1 odds
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Good luck trying to find a team willing to take on a 30-year old back-up at $7.25 million through the 2019-2020 season. And if the Magic do force a team to take a bad contract off their books as part of a larger deal, it will likely be Bismack Biyombo’s. Ross’ injury will prevent GMs from calling about his availability.
Aaron Gordon: 50 to 1 odds
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The Magic are reportedly doing their due diligence in gauging the trade market for their 22-year-old cornerstone. The trade market isn’t exactly ripe with All-Stars, which is likely what the Magic would expect in return. The Cavs could dangle the Nets’ first round pick in front of Orlando. But the Magic (I hope) will be hesitant to give up on Gordon and risk watching him take an Oladipo-like leap in another city, particularly in exchange for an unproven rookie, even in a top-heavy draft.
Jonathon Simmons: 25 to 1 odds
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Simmons certainly boosted his value on Tuesday after exploding for a career-high 34 points to lead the Magic over the Cavaliers. The Thunder have reportedly shown interest. The Cavs themselves could use him, and LeBron did try recruiting him last summer. But given that Orlando just signed him this summer to a cap-friendly bargain deal for three years and $18 million, it seems unlikely Simmons gets moved.
Marreese Speights, Arron Afflalo: 20 to 1 odds
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Inexpensive, veteran players on expiring contracts could have some value on the trade market.
Shelvin Mack: 18 to 1 odds
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Mack’s play has improved of late and contending teams can always use a veteran back-up point guard. Owed $6 million next season, the price may be a little too steep for opposing GMs.
Bismack Biyombo: 15 to 1 odds
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Biz’s contract on its own is immovable. Unless Rob Hennigan is promoted to GM somewhere in the next 24 hours, no team would be willing to take on Biz with two years and $34 million remaining on his contract after this season, which does include a player option on the final year that will almost certainly be picked up. But his odds of being dealt get a boost from his possible “take-this-contract-off-my-books-or-no-deal” inclusion in a trade for one of the Magic’s more desirable assets.
Mario Hezonja: 10 to 1 odds
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In light of Super Mario’s recent offensive production and newfound confidence, the Magic front office probably feels some sense of regret that they declined Hezonja’s fourth-year option. Likewise, general managers of opposing teams have probably taken notice. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent, the odds of Hezonja re-signing with Orlando seem slim and he is getting the opportunity to showcase his skills for impending free agency. He could be a throw-in as part of a multi-player deal. If dealt as a rental, the return for the Magic won’t be significant.
Elfrid Payton: 8 to 1 odds
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He’s setting career-highs on the offensive end (13.0 points per game; 52.0 percent from the field; 37.3 percent from three) but his defense and refusal to fight through screens remain horrid. Set to become a restricted free agent, Payton could fill a need for a contender looking for a back-up point guard that thrives at pushing the tempo, attacking the basket or facilitating with a drive-and-kick.
Nikola Vucevic: 5 to 1 odds
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Had Vucevic not suffered a broken hand, he likely would have been the favorite in the Most-Likely-To-Be-Traded Power Rankings. But he is inching closer to returning to the court, whether that will be as a member of the Magic remains to be seen. With the league shifting away from the traditional center position, Vucevic expanded his game and is shooting career-highs in three-point attempts per game (4.1), makes per game (1.4) and three-point percentage (34.3 percent). His lack of interior defense and “good stats on a bad team” stigma could hurt his value. But his team-friendly contract, which has just one-year and $12.75 million remaining after this season, could be attractive to a contender in need of frontcourt depth.
Evan Fournier: 3 to 1 odds
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Considering Fournier’s age (25), reasonable contract ($17 million a year through 2021), and production (a career-best 17.8 points per game), Fournier would be my pick for most likely to be dealt. It shouldn’t be hard to find a team in need of a boost on the wing. The question becomes, is it worth it for the Magic to deal him? As presently constructed, the Magic have an unhealthy offensive dependency on Fournier, who is better suited as an off-the-ball, catch-and-shoot role player who can stretch the floor. It could be a while before the Magic have the pieces and scoring options in place to properly shift him into that role. If the new front office wants a full rebuild, Fournier will be on the move.
Who do you think is most likely to be traded? Least likely? Join the debate in the comments below....