4 questions about the Magic

 
 
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The Magic season has quickly become very questionable and a lot of fans have questions about the future. Should the Magic tank? Is it time to give up on Mo Bamba? What should they do with Fournier and Birch at the deadline? Is there a free agent that can help?

We took those 4 questions and passed them to our team for their opinions. So let’s get into it.

Answers by Jonathan Alicea

Tanking vs Competing: which route should we take?

I’m pretty adamant about my response here. In the short term? TANK TANK TANK. The 2022 NBA draft is being touted as one of the best draft classes in years, especially at the top of the draft. Personally, I’m all in on Cade Cunningham, but there are a number of prospects slated to go 1-7 that are potentially worth throwing this season away for. I think by the trade deadline, the Magic should look to trade Evan Fournier and Khem Birch for either future draft compensation or younger guys that are under contract for a few more years. HOWEVER, I think it’s imperative that we look to bounce back as a playoff team next season. A healthy Isaac, a healthy Fultz, a full year of development for Cole Anthony and Chuma Okeke, plus hopefully another strong year for Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic COULD mean we finish a top 6 seed in the East.

Is it time to give up on Bamba?

Is it time to give up on the idea that Bamba could someday be a franchise-changing big? Yeah, I think so. But Mo has size, length, and athleticism that you just cannot teach, add to that his ability to stretch the floor, I think it’s a no brainer that if given a chance he will develop into a very good rotational center, and maybe even a serviceable starter at some point. For some reason though, Steve Clifford has determined that Mo is simply incapable of playing better than Gary Clark. Which…obviously…kinda sucks, right? #FreeBamba

What happens with Fournier and Birch at the deadline?

Trade ‘em both. Birch is having a career year and there are a number of contenders that could use his services. Personally, I think he’d be a fantastic fit for the Warriors and Nets. In regards to Fournier, he absolutely deserves a contract extension and I think for the most part he’s lived up to his current contract. But the Magic simply cannot afford to be locked into another contract of that magnitude while still paying T-Ross, Vucevic, Isaac, AG, Aminu and Fultz a combined 97 million next season. Boston looks like a good trade partner for the Magic and could use their 28-million-dollar TPE to absorb Fournier’s contract while sending back draft compensation and/or Romeo Langford or Carsen Edwards

Which current free agent, if any, should the Magic consider signing?

A point guard. Easy answer. Even if you plan on tanking, you need to be able to run an offense to help create good habits for Chuma Okeke, Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba. I think Isaiah Thomas is the guy I want most (because I’m a very vocal IT stan) but Shabazz Napier, JJ Barea and Emmanuel Mudiay all make a lot of sense as well.

Section by Matthew Emery

Tanking vs Competing: which route should we take?

The Magic should call it because this is the best season to call it. The first reason is that there are no fans in the stands, so a bad team won’t affect attendance. The second reason is that this upcoming draft class is stacked in the top 5. I have been saying it for years, the Magic need a guard who can “get” his own shot. I feel like a broken record and as long as the Magic have this problem, they are limited in what they can do in the playoffs. This upcoming draft gives the Magic a nice opportunity to find “a guy” who can be the face of a franchise and perhaps the league. Given the injuries to Markell Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, and now Aaron Gordon, the team should look to deal veterans, develop Okeke, Anthony, and Bamba, and focus on how to best position itself for the upcoming draft. I am just not excited about making the 8th seed or a play-in tournament, especially when it’s not being done on the backs of young developing stars.

Is it time to give up on Bamba?

No. No. and No. I like Bamba, I am just not sure the Magic like him, for whatever reason. I actually think he’s never been given a chance, but when he has, his per 36 numbers have actually been pretty good. The problem is that he is playing behind Vucevic. Vucevic deserves to be the starter and I wouldn’t argue that Bamba should play over him. However, that argument begins to slant toward Bamba when it comes to him or Khem Birch. I don’t understand what Khem Birch does that Bamba cannot (and that’s not slight to Birch). I like Birch, but I frankly don’t understand why the Magic don’t try to really take advantage of their 6th pick in the 2018 draft. It’s quite sad when you think that we are here in 2021 and I still have no idea how good or bad Bamba is. That’s a testament to him in part, but mainly to the front office. If we let Mo go, we’ll regret it. He’ll be good somewhere else.

What happens with Fournier and Birch at the deadline?

Fournier should be traded at the deadline to a team that can offer a young player and a pick back. I am less inclined to trade Birch because we have Bamba. Fournier could go to a playoff team like the Warriors, the Suns, or Clippers. If I recall, Fournier was quite fond of Sacramento when he last visited. I’d think about sending to his dream come true there in exchange for a young player and a pick. A third team may also have to be involved here.

Which current free agent, if any, should the Magic consider signing?

To be quite honest, the Magic have all the players they need to play out the season and get a high draft pick. I am out on this team given the injuries and I don’t think there is a free agent out there who could really help us. Perhaps a player we could sign would be Jamal Crawford? We need instant offense and it could be a good story for the Magic. 

Next Section by CJ Hill

Tanking vs Competing: which route should we take?

At this stage, it’s best to tank and start fresh. The front office has missed on several opportunities to cash in on All-Star talent and at the moment there are no trades or available stars that our assets can acquire. Drafting late in previous drafts was debatable but this year’s draft is loaded especially at the top. Moving AG, Evan, and maybe Vuc would most likely guarantee us a superstar talent to go along with a solid young core. At the moment we are the 5th worst team in the league so we are definitely heading nowhere fast.

Is it time to give up on Bamba?

Bamba has his moments where he flashes unbelievable talent and drive. Mo’s motor has always been an issue but it feels like he’s playing with a lot of energy. This season he’s putting up very respectable PER 36 numbers and it makes you wonder is he ready for real minutes. With the season close to being a wash it’s time to give him a real chance before having to pay him big money.

What happens with Fournier and Birch at the deadline?

Evan wanted to leave in the offseason so I would imagine he would test the water this summer. If he wants to be a starter Orlando might be his only option to start with no competition. Birch is a nice insurance policy and has developed very nicely. After this current contract, I wouldn’t look to bring him back. I would definitely move him if it meant letting Bamba get some burn so we know for sure what we have before extending him.

Which current free agent, if any, should the Magic consider signing?

In reality, we should look to add a young combo guard that can play now or develop into something. Evan may not stick around next year so having a young guard to go with our young core now would be nice. But another reality is Cliff will not play young talent (Bamba) unless he absolutely has to and even then it’s on a short leash. Shooting is a need so taking a flier on a young vet might also be a way to improve long-term but would the player actually play over Evan or T.Ross? Alonzo Trier, Mario Hezonja, Allen Crabbe, T.J Left, and Dragan Bender are all young vets that can shoot but on tanking team, they wouldn’t make a lot of sense.

Section by Wyatt Nebergall

Tanking vs Competing: which route should we take?

I’m fine with tanking through competing but I’ve never liked the idea of losing on purpose. I think now is a good time to give young people some playing time and see what they’re able to do and if that results in losses, that’s not the worst thing. That would mean we would need to trade away veterans for younger players or expiring contracts. However, I do believe winning is the goal no matter who you put on the floor.

Is it time to give up on Bamba?

NO. I definitely see some of the complaints about Mo, his focus and energy when he does get playing time, and how he seems to have extended periods of injury. I just believe he is a unicorn, he is special. Personally, I think that playing in Vuc’s shadow might be daunting to him. I think Mo respects Vuc’s game and him as a person, that’s why I’m not sure if Mo has the fight or determination to go for Vuc’s starting spot. However undeserving I still believe given opportunity with no one in front of him he could grow to become a very special player.

What happens with Fournier and Birch at the deadline?

I’d be happy for either one to be traded to a playoff contender for younger talent. I’ve grown to love and appreciate both of those guys as players and individuals and I’d be happy to see them flourish on another team. I just don’t see them as long term solutions for the Orlando Magic.

Which current free agent, if any, should the Magic consider signing?

I don’t really feel like they should go out of their way to sign anyone this season. I just don’t really care about the rest of this season. Just to name a few that would be fun: Emmanuel Mudiay, Isaiah Thomas, Shabazz Napier (again), Jamal Crawford. Also, what’s Isaiah Briscoe up to?

Thank you for reading. Please let us know your thoughts. You can follow all of our writers on Twitter as well as our main page @TheCloseUpMagic

 
Stephen Cameron