Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Orlando Magic

There was a lot of hype surrounding Aaron Gordon when he first entered the NBA as the 4th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Magic and while he struggled early on in his career, Gordon has really turned himself into a solid third or fourth scoring option. His outside shot is finally starting to improve and he has improved as a defender, but it does not seem like he is a guy the Magic feels comfortable investing a lot of money into for the future of the organization. 

Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier seem like the two older guys the Magic will invest into while they build their young core of the future, leaving Gordon in a tough spot. His playstyle is not something the Magic seem to want to build around and given the fact that he cannot be the top scoring option on a team is concerning for Orlando moving forward. 

Being able to trade him for one or two future first-round picks, as well as a player like Tyrell Terry can really help the Magic as they look to solidify and build their young core of the future. The Orlando Magic are in no position to contend for a championship and could wind up missing the playoffs this season, so why not trade Gordon and continue to build a young core?

Former #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz put together a solid season last year with the Magic and with them drafting Cole Anthony 15th overall in this year’s draft, as well as Chuma Okeke ready to make his NBA debut this season, the Magic have some young players with a lot of talent for the future. 

Giving them the playing time they need in order to grow as players and continuing to acquire young talent around them is what will make the Magic a great team moving forward. Keeping Gordon with Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic does not make the Magic a championship contender and never will. 

Although they had high-expectations for Aaron Gordon, he will never bring the Orlando Magic past the Eastern Conference Semifinals, if they even make it there over the next several years. It makes more sense to trade Gordon than it does to keep him at this point, and getting a young player in Terry and one to two first-round picks from the Mavericks is a win for the Magic.