1. Magic trade Evan Fournier and their 2017 first round pick (top-10 protected), for Goran Dragic.
Just over a week ago, Marc Stein posted an interesting tidbit that pertained to a potential Dragic deal with the Orlando Magic. In his own words:
"Orlando, according to league sources, recently tried to engage Miami on a Goran Dragic deal in which the Magic were said to be offering center Nikola Vucevic and a future first-round pick. The Heat, of course, already have a well-compensated starting center in Hassan Whiteside and, sources say, had no interest in Orlando’s pitch. [Miami] continues to leave the impression that they’re resistant to surrendering Dragic before the Feb. 23 trade deadline."
It’s obvious why Orlando would be interested in Dragic. For starters, they have the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA. Dragic would provide an immediate boost in that area.
Further, although their young point guard Elfrid Payton has been playing well of late, he is still a porous three-point shooter at 29 percent. He is, however, an excellent defender. Dragic, meanwhile, has shown the ability to play off the ball this season. His 41 percent rate from three would open up clogged driving lanes for the Magic. His main weakness is that he’s a limited defender. The two are a good fit, as one can cover for the deficiencies of the other.
To make this work, the Magic need to up their original offer for the Heat to have any interest. Riley has no need for another center, but where could he use some help? With another perimeter scorer, like Evan Fournier.
Orlando gets a point guard with experience, who helps them in the short-term. The Magic made a bunch of (somewhat reckless) signings this offseason, the goal being to make the playoffs. Thus far, it hasn’t worked out. There’s a chance they’ll be desperate to improve their current standing any way they can.
Plus, they’ll be protecting the pick through the first ten selections. Meaning that if adding Dragic doesn’t help them make the playoffs and they end up with a top ten pick in the draft anyways, they’d be able to keep it.
Miami on the other hand, would potentially receive another first round pick for 2017, and a player in Fournier who’s gotten better every year as a pro. Fournier was averaging 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, with a solid 57 true shooting percentage before suffering a foot injury in late December.
Though this trade would absolutely hurt Miami in the short-term, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It would give them a higher pick in a draft class that stacked with talented point guards, to go along with a 24-year-old scorer in Fournier who still has potential to get better. You’re adding youth to a roster that still needs it. A lineup with a dynamic young point guard, flanked by Waiters and Fournier, Justise Winslow at the 4, and Hassan Whiteside manning the paint? That’s not a bad haul for a player who’s about to be 31-years old. (Best of all, this swap is ESPN Trade Machine approved.)