As the 2020/21 NBA trade deadline came and went this past Thursday, no team saw the complexion of its roster change more than the Magic. Orlando traded three of its best players in Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic, ending weeks of reports and speculation about those players’ futures.
The Magic acquired a slew of draft picks and some promising young players with upside but it made clear the team was entering a rebuilding phase. In an exclusive interview with Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Magic president Jeff Weltman explained the thinking behind Orlando’s flurry of moves entering the deadline.
Weltman spoke glowingly of the players traded but emphasized the organization believes the moves were made with the best long-term plan in mind. Check out some highlights from Weltman’s comments below:
On why the Magic went in the direction of trading so many key players:
“I think it’s hard to separate the trades. We picked a new path. We picked a new direction. Vooch, as our best player, had to be a part of that decision. All of those guys are good players, and they’ve been good players for our organization and good people. But if we were going to strike out on a good path, we needed to make those moves.”
On what led to Aaron Gordon’s trade request:
“In the storm of losses and injuries and everything that our team has been facing, I think Aaron’s frustration got the best of him. He’s a very good player, and he’s a very good person. But I just think that, as many passionate, competitive people do, he kind of wears his emotions on his sleeve sometimes. I think his frustration got the best of him.”
On how head coach Steve Clifford will handle the roster overhaul:
“I have the utmost confidence that all of his coaching abilities and talents will be applied to the new direction of the team. I can tell you right now he’s working to figure out, ‘How do I organize this team so our guys can be in a position to look good?’ That’s Steve Clifford’s number-one priority, and it always is, whether we’re playing in a playoff game or we’re playing in the first game of a new rebuilding team. Steve’s going to do what he does. He’s great at it. And I don’t think these trades have any implications otherwise.”
On whether the Magic are set for the future based off Thursday’s transactions:
“I do believe that this does raise our ceiling. If you look at the way teams are historically built, generally teams that win the title are populated by elite-level players who are acquired through elite-level draft picks. So it raises the ceiling in that respect. It also raises the ceiling that we now have multiple draft picks and cap flexibility, which will better arm us to make a swing-for-the-fences trade.”
Trash
4 lottery pick players
Fultz
Isaac
Bamba
Carter
Weltman must be a happy man. He wanted to trade Gordon and Vucevic since he was hired, in particular since drafting Issac and Bamba. But some breakout years and playoff appearances made it impractical. Seems like this year gave him the cover he needed. He now gets to rebuild his way after 4 years on the job. He has some of his guys in place and a few more assets.
Assume that Rockets and Wolves don’t have top 4 picks this summer
Years take to make playoffs prediction
Cavs 3
Magic 4
Pistons 4
Wolves 5
Kings 6
Rockets 7
They need to showcase Bamba if they are all in on Carter. I personally think Bamba should start. We shall see. With Birch you don’t need Carter or Bamba. Anthony and Hampton both have upside. I think The Magic will be on the rise for sure.
I watched carter for 3 years, if the magic want to get the best out of him they need to move him to power forward, look at the points opposing centers were putting up on him, that’s not the right position for him to play, I would start carter at the 4 and bamba at the 5 and see if they have anything there, but I think they magic just have 2 of the 3 enormous busts taken in the top 10 in 2018, bagley is the biggest bust no matter what since doncic was taken a pick after him, bulls and magic missed sexton, SGA, and MPJ but there isn’t too much depth to that class beyond them
“Elite level draft picks” then why allow Chicago to keep their picks if either fall in the top 4? They traded by far their best player for a bust and a couple of middle of the round draft picks.
I like the Magic young talent. I agree Carter is better at the 4. Probably best next to an O center like KAT. Who he can watch his back and rebound. Magic get Mobley in the draft. Then this rebuild will happen next yr.
Fultz, Harris, Isaac, Ross, Mobley is a solid 5. Magic have cap space so could sign a good young player. Getting Mobley allows them to move Bamba. This draft is a deep draft. So they could do well real soon. Isaac is going to be an all star. He was starting to look the part before getting hurt. Eventually I see him as a stretch 4. Carter is a solid big who can start or be first big off bench. Harris ever gets his groove back, would help a lot. Anthony is a solid talent. Their guards are solid and still young. Where they need help is at the wings and C. But if they get Mobley (you see). I think it’s all about the draft for Magic now. And this is the draft to bet on.
They’re Terrible Al.