The Magic core is here to stay…..for now

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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Yesterday, the Orlando Magic traded away forward Tobias Harris to the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. Today they are in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers involving veteran forward Channing Frye.

Even though Orlando has been active these past couple days, don’t expect them to be in a fire sale. According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sential:

“Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Nik Vucevic aren’t going anywhere.”

He continues,

“The Orlando Magic will not trade any member of their young nucleus before this season’s NBA trade deadline expires on Thursday afternoon, general manager Rob Hennigan told the Orlando Sentinel tonight.”

Fournier (23), Gordon (20), Hezonja (20), Oladipo (23), Payton (21) and Vucevic (25) have all played heavy minutes this season, but have not meshed well together on the court. 

Trading away Tobias Harris opens up the door for guys like Mario Hezonja and Aaron Gordon to step up. With the acquisition of Jennings, it gives Payton a chance to learn from a veteran point guard who played under Scott Skiles.   

The only move I see the Orlando Magic making is moving Channing Frye, a stretch four under contract through the 2017-18 season. With Ilyasova in Orlando, Frye becomes expendable. 

Every year we always hear the same thing: the Magic have great potential. How much potential does a team have if they never come close to the playoffs? They are currently 23-29, 3.5 games back behind the Charlotte Hornets for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year, a fire sale may begin.

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