LA Clippers: One trade with every team – Orlando Magic

We suggest one trade the LA Clippers could make with the Orlando Magic.

Today’s hypothetical trade partner for the LA Clippers is the Orlando Magic. As the NBA gears up to head to their home city to complete the remainder of the 2019-20 season, the Magic cling to eighth place in the Eastern Conference and look to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

The Magic’s roster features an interesting mix of young, up-and-coming players, underrated veterans, and players looking for a second (or third) chance in the NBA. Players like Nikola Vucevic quietly average 19.5 points and 11 rebounds per night while Jonathan Issac and Mo Bama look to fulfill their high-draft stock promise while Markelle Fultz and Michael Carter-Williams look to put their Philadelphia days far in the rearview.

Somewhat lost in the mix is a 24-year-old power forward whose out-of-this-world athleticism and ability to spread the floor and shoot the three-pointer should be able to fit in anywhere, but has always seemed to have one foot out the door in Orlando.

Why we suggest this trade for the LA Clippers:

Aaron Gordon isn’t quite the three-point threat that Marcus Morris is, but he is still a career 31.3 percent shooter from beyond the arc. His ability to both spread the floor and bang inside makes him a sharp tool on offense and his high-motor and elite (elite, super-elite) athletic ability make him a problem for the opposition on defense. He’d be an immediate energy boost upgrade to the starting lineup. If he’s willing to accept his role as it currently stands to play for the Magic, we bet he’d be more than happy to take on a similar role for a championship-contending team like the Clippers.

Would the Magic do it?

It seems like the Magic have been looking to offload Gordon for years. It was April 2017 when a leaked image of their whiteboard seemed to have them covet Dario Saric in exchange for Gordon. Their willingness to depart with him would depend on the development of young big men Jonathan Issac and Mo Bamba, who seem to be the interior duo of the future in Orlando. Marcus Morris would give the Magic an expiring contract to work with, Landry Shamet would provide a young shooter to add to their developing mix, and another ex-76er with which Carter-Williams and Fultz could commiserate. The Clippers might have to throw in a future draft asset, which we all know are scarce in Los Angeles.

Read the rest of our “One Trade with every Team” series here:

Pacific Division: Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Suns
Northwest Division: Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Blazers, Timberwolves
Southwest Division: Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Spurs
Atlantic Division: Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, Nets, Knicks
Central Division: Bucks, Pacers, Bulls, Pistons, Cavaliers
Southeast Division: Heat, Magic, Wizards, Hornets, Hawks