http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1191809-report-magic-looking-to-trade-vucevic-down-on-payton Make it happen Neil!
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/orlando-magic-new-york-knicks-pregame-report-denton-20161222 At this point we need more than just defense. We need heart, a desire to win and a shake up of the line up. I don't know if he's a good fit. I just posted it so we could discuss it. I have always like Elfrid Payton, Nikola can't be worse than what we have can he?
He's averaging a double double coming off the bench. Maybe he would be best as a PF paired with Nerlens Noel? Other than Plums recent development, what big do we have that can match Nikola? For the record i'm not jumping on the bandwagon, just bored with our current team's output. Anytime a center becomes remotely available it's like seeing a squirrel. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html
The Magic just don't seem to have a clue. They traded Oladipo and kept Hezonja, who promptly goes into a tailspin. They trade for an old-for-them Ibaka because he perfectly complements Vucevic - then decide to trade Vucevic. I don't think there's a single player of theirs that I really covet. Even Ibaka is overrated, and Biyombo (who was drafted to be "the next Ibaka") is overpaid and underperforming. And if you don't think our defense can possibly get worse, well let's trade for Vucevic and find out.
Orlando would probably want Crabbe, but I'm not sure that's enough for Vucevic. CJ on the other hand is worth more than anyone on orlandos roster, so I don't really see a deal. Maybe they'd want Vonleh? Orlando is weird, no one knows what their goals are.
Payton can at times be a well above average defender. In the first meeting last year, he and Lillard were matched up for most of the game. Lillard went 4-15 while Payton went 4-9 as they both finished with 19 points.
Ibaka would look pretty good in Portland and we'd be able to go over the cap to re-sign him, but after what Orlando gave up I doubt they're looking to move him
It'd be nice to somehow get Aaron Gordon, we need to get a three way going with the magic and the Kings...the magic are interested in Rudy Gay...
When you have a guy who scores 20 and rebounds in the paint, it tends to take the pressure off the guards...now teams leave Mason and Ed alone unless they are intentionally fouled hoping they miss
Gordon is interesting because he's young and has a ceiling, especially defensively, but his asking price is probably higher than his actual value. Hezonja would be worth a look and I'm not even a fan of him! I just think that's an Olshey type move to find value at the bottom of another teams depth chart.
If we go after someone from Orlando it should be Ibaka. Though, I love Vuc's game. That quick, over the right shoulder, baby left hook is VICIOUS! He's got a beautiful stroke on his jumper. He sets great picks. He's ACTIVE. He gets lots of points off of hustle and crashing the O boards. He's sneaky quick and solidly athletic. He's amazing at boxing out. Offensively and with regard to rebounding, he's everything we need in a big. He sucks on D but he tries hard.
What Vucevic brings commands attention from the other team's bigs and gets them off our guards....that's defense creating offense which in Stott's system is what Meyers is supposed to do and doesn't and Mason and Ed just can't. We have no low post threat and second chance pts Ed got last season are rarely seen this year
