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NLL Insider - Team by Team: Orlando Magic

by jmac, updated on Sunday, October 19 2014, 08:11 pm EST

2013-14 Finish: 33-49

Season Highlight



The first five weeks. Orlando got their 2013-14 season off to a pretty good start and the team was showing chemistry and the potential to be a playoff team. Burke, Evans, Young, Varejao were all combining well together. However, after a few trades, and a few players going M.I.A., the momentum and chemistry disintegrated almost entirely and the Magic began to free-fall. Thaddeus Young leaving seemed to start it all off, and soon after, Burke couldn’t hit a shot, Monroe wasn’t cutting it, a newly traded in David West wouldn’t take a shot, and the Magic GM laddas was pulling his hair out trying to figure out what was going wrong!




Season Lowlight



For a portion of the season, the Orlando Magic resided in the doldrums of the NLL standings. Not quite at the depths of your Utahs, Memphis’ or your Minnesotas, but for a while, they were bad. It puzzled all how the Magic could be doing so poorly, and kept GM laddas awake at night. This team shouldn’t be that bad. Was it too many trades? Was the positive beginning to the season just a fortunate start? Issues in the locker room? No chemistry? Laddas himself would tell you that the season didn’t go to plan. However, the nose-diving Magic continued their fall into a lottery pick that is Joel Embiid who has tantalizing potential. The future is here, but it isn’t now.


Best Trade



The Orlando Magic send Boris Diaw and Gerald Henderson to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Tyreke Evans to the Orlando Magic.
The Orlando Magic send a 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the Sacramento Kings.

I like this deal for the Magic. Evans is young, athletic, talented and big (for his skill set). He plays like a point guard but is the size of a small forward. He is young enough that he can stick around for the rebuilding project in Orlando and still be able to contribute when they are (hopefully) blossoming.


Worst Trade

The Atlanta Hawks send Luol Deng and Jeff Green to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Al Jefferson, Steve Novak and Darrell Arthur to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks send a 2nd-Rounder (Den) to the Orlando Magic.

The Atlanta Hawks trade -15 GM points.The Orlando Magic receive 15 GM points.

I just don’t like that the Magic acquired Deng at the expense of Al Jefferson with the intention not to re-sign Deng. Deng hasn’t seen a minute of pre-season action and is clearly on the outer in Orlando. Jefferson had a bumpy run in Orlando, but I still see him as being very talented and a big trade chip that should have netted more than cap space and Jeff Green.


Other Notable Trades

The Miami Heat send Arnett Moultrie to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Kemba Walker to the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat send a 1st-Rounder (Min) to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send a 1st-Rounder (Chi) to the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat trade -10 GM points.The Orlando Magic receive 10 GM points.

Kemba Walker is an established, talented player in the league and is still very young. The Magic pinned their future on Embiid falling to pick four (which he did), so I hope it all turns out well for laddas. However, if it doesn’t, he gave up Kemba Walker and Julius Randle, which is pretty steep.

The Orlando Magic send Marc Gasol to the Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics send a 1st-Rounder (Chi) to the Orlando Magic.
The Boston Celtics use their trade exception over $ 14,860,523.

A present for future move. Gasol was shipped around all season long and the Magic didn’t keep this pick, either. All roads led to Embiid, in the end.

The Orlando Magic send David West, Thabo Sefolosha and Chandler Parsons to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Marc Gasol, Wesley Johnson and Festus Ezeli to the Orlando Magic.
The Phoenix Suns send a 1st-Rounder (Bkn) to the Orlando Magic.

Pretty even deal, buy boy does laddas enjoy trading! West, Parsons, Sefolosha were all of starter quality. Chemistry, what chemistry!?


Best FA Signing

JJ Redick - turned out to be a great 2k player when healthy in 2013-14. However, almost none of it was spent on the Magic’s roster, as he was traded immediately after free agency for Randy Foye.


Worst FA Signing

Hilton Armstrong - wasn’t a big deal, and not bad by any stretch, but Orlando just had lots of minimum-type free agent signings throughout the season. Armstrong lasted all of six days.



Star



Tyreke Evans - the only man that was left standing when the dust settled from the whirlwind of trades down in Orlando. He put up some fantastic all-around numbers all season (17.5 points, 5, rebs, 5 assists, 1 blocks, 1 steal) and might just be handed the keys to the offense this season. Look for an even fatter stat line in 14-15.

Surprise

Rudy Gobert - got him dirt cheap off of the 76ers and the BFG (big French giant) proved he could be effective even as an NLL rookie, showing promise rebounding, blocking and finishing at the rim. Now looks to be part of their future. Good potential.


Goat



There were plenty to choose from in Orlando, and most of them didn’t even last a month in the Magic uniform before they were banished and traded away. The goat was the team chemistry, or more to the point, a lack of it. West was disappointing. Jefferson was disappointing. Burke had games that made Brandon Jennings look efficient. Evans was literally the only impact guy that survived the season.


Draft Report Card

Joel Embiid - Huge wraps, amazing potential and franchise-changing talent. Currently, rehabbing from surgery. Will he turn out to be one of those guys who could have been great if not for injury? Or will he be one of those guys that really changes the NLL landscape.

T.J Warren - Had an awesome pre-season and really does look like he has top-notch scoring instincts and body control. Also has good size. Will surely get some run this season in Orlando. I like this pick, too.


Looking To The Future

Well, I think the future is now... Going to be a tough season in Orlando this season, as I have previously stated. Embiid and Gobert will be able to grow together and might make a very formidable tandem in a few years time, boasting amazing size and length. Evans might put up some all-star numbers as he will have the keys to the car and will be driving it by himself. Jeff Green might have some good games, too. It’s likely that Orlando will be making a top-ten selection in next season’s lottery.


Upcoming Free Agents

Luol Deng - Going, going, gone? Looks to be running for the door in Orlando. Won’t see him next season wearing a Magic uniform.

Wesley Johnson - On a cheap deal and showed signs last season. Might have a starting job. Will be back.



Trevor Booker - A restricted free agent. Might also have a starting job at power forward, where he is very good at rebounding and hustling. Will be back.

Ronnie Brewer - On his last legs as a player. Might not be back on any team.



Byron Mullens - Took off for greener pastures to China, only to play one game and be cut. Now that’s rough. Might be back in the NBA, but unlikely to be with the Magic.

James Southerland - Roster fodder at this stage in his career and might not be on a team come start of the season.

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