Orlando made some really weird offseason moves. It's like they couldn't decide if they are rebuilding or trying to win now. The result is a roster that isn't well suited to either.
And, they still can't decide. Do they start Vucevic (16 starts) or Biyombo (14 starts)? Do they start Payton (16 starts) or Augustin (14 starts)? Do they start Gordon (22 starts) or Jeff Green (8 starts)? Keep in mind, none of this is due to injury. All these guys are healthy and playing. They benched Vucevic to start the younger Biyombo and benched Jeff Green to start the younger Aaron Gordon, but then they benched Elfrid Payton to start the 31-year old D.J. Augustin. Which makes it look like they are both trying to develop some of their younger guys, while still trying to win.
In all of this, the only constants have been Serge Ibaka and Evan Fournier. They are the only two Magic players that have started every game they've played in.
Right now, they are 12th in the East, but only a game and a half out of the 8th seed. I think the only way they move Ibaka before the deadline is if they completely fall out of the playoff picture and decide to blow it up and go into compete rebuild mode (again - although how can you rebuild what was never built?).
So, of we want Serge Ibaka, start rooting for ORL to lose.
BNM
