5 potential sellers to watch near the trade deadline: Orlando Magic
It’s fair to say that if it weren’t for injuries, the Orlando Magic would probably be a legit contender for a playoff spot. However, they are currently without Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, and Cole Anthony. Fultz and Isaac are out for the season outside of Anthony, the other three players are starts.
This might be the season for the Magic to see if they can’t flip some veterans for younger players and/or draft capital. To be clear, a guy like Nikola Vucevic isn’t a target for the Philadelphia 76ers, but Orlando does have some interesting role players.
“ Fournier is probably the biggest name on this list…”
Despite being a former lottery pick, center Mohamed Bamba has slowly seen his role reduced each of his first three seasons with that Magic. With Vucivic becoming an All-Star caliber player and Khem Birch being a really good backup, there doesn’t seem to be a future for the big man.
The Sixers could trade for the center and groom him to be Embiid’s backup of the future. The only question is how much would Orlando want for the former sixth overall pick.
Evan Fournier is in the last year of his contract and is set to be a free agent. With no clear-cut hier apparent at the shooting guard position, the Magic will probably try to retain the sharpshooter’s services in the offseason. That being said, if they are worried they can’t, they may try to trade him before he hits free agency.
Fournier is probably the biggest name on this list as he’s a three-level scorer. While he can’t defend well, the Sixers wouldn’t need him to. He’s scoring a career-high 19.1 points per game and would be a major help in the postseason.