The Magic rank 11th in points allowed per possession and 28th in points scored per possession, but that doesn’t fully explain the disparity.
Over the previous 25 days, they rank even better defensively – first in the league, in fact – and even worse offensively.
So, Orlando is considering a move.
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
Marc Stein of ESPN offers (informed?) speculation Orlando could dangle Mario Hezonja, the No. 5 pick last year who has yet to make a dent in the pros.
Other trade candidates? Nikola Vucevic always looked like the odd man out. There are still 25 franchises that have not yet been disappointed first-hand by Jeff Green.
But those are all offensive-first players anyway.
The Magic’s top defenders are:
- Serge Ibaka (acquired just last summer in a franchise-defining move)
- Bismack Biyombo (signed long-term just last summer)
- Aaron Gordon (whom Orlando should be building around)
- Elfrid Payton (a management favorite)
It’s tough to see Magic general manager Rob Hennigan parting with any of those four. They’re too integral to his record.
Mostly, it’s interesting 10-13 Orlando is seeking to plug its biggest immediate hole rather than building for the future. Clearing a frontcourt logjam that has killed spacing and submarined the offense might be done most effectively by dealing a superfluous player for a draft pick. But in Hennigan’s fifth year, he could be feeling pressure to make his first playoff appearance.