Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford looks on in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, April 3, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Orlando Continue Slide

Orlando is in dire need of David Copperfield, David Blaine, or even Chris Angel.

There is no Magic in Orlando.

A Vanishing Act

The Magic opened the season strong, winning 6 of its first 8 games. They then proceeded to drop 16 of the next 20 games played. Presto!

‘Rebuilding’ For the Future

When a star player exits a team, it is common for the organization to enter a ‘rebuild’ phase, where the team is expected to drop games. When Dwight Howard left the team in 2012, the Magic expected to lose a few games.

A few games turned into loss streaks. Loss streaks turned into seasons.

At what point does rebuilding turn into plain losing? After 2 seasons? 3?

Poof! The Foundation is Gone

To add insult to injury, the Magic went ahead with a trade that gave away team leaders Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon.

The asking price? Draft picks and younger talent.

Orlando drops to the Spurs
San Antonio Spurs forward Drew Eubanks (14) blocks a shot by Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 12, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Time to Rebuild? Again?

Center Vucevic lead the team in average points with 24.5. Fournier and Gordon were close behind, averaging 19.7 and 14.6 points per game respectively.

It seems a bit counter-intuitive to let three of the top five goal scorers on the team go.

Aaron Gordon did request a trade, but can you blame him?

Possibilities Moving Forward

With the loss of Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier, the Magic immediately acquired Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., R.J. Hampton and Gary Harris.

The pressure on these four is mounting as the Magic slide deeper and deeper into darkness.

About Matthew Bell

Matthew Bell is a senior at the University of Florida. He completed his associates degree at State College of Florida in Bradenton and transferred to UF in 2019. His favorite sports are American football and baseball. Matthew also contributes to The Point Podcast and provides local hourly news for All Things Considered.

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