ORLANDO MAGIC
Last season: 35 – 47
This season: 32 – 50
I’m usually partial to General Managers who have the courage to think for themselves, but in the case of Orlando’s Rob Hennigan, I’ll make an exception. I haven’t any idea what he’s trying to do here. Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo and Nik Vucevic – how many severely limited big men can one team afford, both financially and on the floor?
They have brought in Jeff Green, who’s disappointed every team he’s played for. Victor Oladipo is gone, just when I thought he was ready for a step forward. Elfrid Payton will be a great point guard someday, or so they think. If he’s developed, I’ve missed it.
New coach Frank Vogel might be able to make sense of all the odd pieces. The cupboard certainly isn’t bare. Evan Fournier has great range on his jumper, and Aaron Gordon is a marvelous athlete.
Orlando and Philly are my top two choices to be heavily involved in trade talks, but not with each other. The Magic need to shed at least one of their front court men, most likely Vucevic. Beware teams whose roster problems are an open secret.