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NBA Rumors: Magic might trade Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon after Biyombo signing

By John Buhler

Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives around Boston Celtics forward David Lee (42) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives around Boston Celtics forward David Lee (42) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Orlando Magic coming to terms on a four-year deal with center Bismack Biyombo, does that mean the Magic are going to shop center Nikola Vucevic?

With a new head coach running the show with the Orlando Magic in Frank Vogel, along with general manager Rob Hennigan, the Magic have now made two moves to help give Vogel the type of physical defensive front court he loved running while he was the head coach of the Indiana Pacers.

Orlando traded shooting guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to No. 11 overall pick Domantas Sabonis out of Gonzaga University to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for power forward Serge Ibaka.

The Magic on Saturday have reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with former Toronto Raptors backup center Bismack Biyombo. In the 2016 NBA Playoffs, Biyombo rose to the occasion in a crisis when Jonas Valanciunas got hurt against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Biyombo was a key part of the Raptors’ first ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals this summer. He’s probably ready to start at the five on a playoff caliber team in 2016-17.

While picking up both Ibaka and Biyombo are going to do wonders for the Magic in terms of rim protection and overall defensive prowess, they currently have a logjam in their front court with Ibaka, Biyombo, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic. So who’s getting traded?

Gordon is too athletically gifted for Magic to logically part ways with. He does have a history of getting hurt, but he has the most upside of any player on Orlando entering 2016-17. It would be beyond foolish to trade him unless Hennigan can get an All-Star back court player in return.

So that leaves Vucevic as likely the odd man out in Orlando. He’s been arguably the Magic’s best player for the last two years with his outstanding low-post offensive game. Vucevic is a near All-Star caliber player in his prime and a team that is in need of low-post points would love to have him on its roster.

If Orlando does feel the need to trade Vucevic, expect that they’ll get a great piece in the back court. Teams like the Boston Celtics, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Washington Wizards might be interested in Vucevic.

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