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NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic aggressively shopping Payton, Fournier

By Michael Saenz

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 5: Evan Fournier #10 talks with head coach Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic during the first half of a preseason game at Quicken Loans Arena on October 5, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 5: Evan Fournier #10 talks with head coach Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic during the first half of a preseason game at Quicken Loans Arena on October 5, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: The Orlando Magic are reportedly aggressively shopping Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier and Mario Hezonja ahead of the trade deadline

Sporting the NBA’s second-worst record, the Orlando Magic are once again at a crossroads. This is not unfamiliar territory with the franchise, however. The Magic haven’t made the playoffs since the 2011-12 season, and have selected in the top 10 of the NBA Draft in four of the past five seasons.

And this year isn’t about to change.

The Magic are destined for another top 5 pick, and have some major decisions to make ahead of next month’s NBA trade deadline. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, said decision is already made. Orlando is expected to go on a fire sale in the coming weeks, aggressively shopping some of their major pieces.

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"[via New York Times]Orlando has since gone a ghastly 4-27, which will most likely lead to a fire sale at next month’s trade deadline. Rival executives expect Jeff Weltman, Orlando’s new team president, to aggressively hunt for new homes for the likes of Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, given that Nikola Vucevic’s broken finger is likely to preclude dealing the center."

Trading the likes of Fournier, Payton and Hezonja shouldn’t be all that difficult. After all, each of those players are still relatively young. The problem with making such deals ahead of the trade deadline falls on the hands of the Magic.

What would Orlando be requesting in exchange for their young prospects? The Magic could likely get a pretty nice return for Evan Fournier, who is averaging a career high 18 points on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.

It gets iffy on what the market return would be for players like Payton and Hezonja, who both have underwhelmed over the last two seasons. The Magic might have to settle for a late first-rounder or even a couple of second-round picks for each of those players.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 bold predictions for the trade deadline

Even though they’re young and still carry some promise, neither of those players is exactly playing at a high level right now. And the Magic, who would like to sell off what limited assets they have, are playing as the desperate team in any transaction ahead of the trade deadline.

Nevertheless, the Magic are one interesting team to follow over the next couple of weeks.

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