Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2018: The 20 best players available

By Bryan Toporek

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 3: A close up shot of Paul George
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 3: A close up shot of Paul George /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic reacts after shooting a free throw during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic reacts after shooting a free throw during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

15. Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

After starting with an 8-4 record through their first 12 games, the Orlando Magic have fallen into complete disarray. Now that they’re spiraling toward their sixth straight trip to the lottery dais, new team president Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond may feel comfortable taking a stick of dynamite to the core of this roster, starting with swingman Evan Fournier.

Much like Atlanta did with Bazemore, the Magic signed Fournier to a long-term contract during the 2016 salary-cap boom which they quickly grew to regret. While the Frenchman’s five-year, $85 million deal is one of the more reasonable big-money pacts handed out that summer, rival executives reportedly expect Orlando “to aggressively hunt for new homes” for Fournier, soon-to-be restricted free agent Elfrid Payton and impending unrestricted free agent Mario Hezonja, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.

According to Wojnarowski, “There are far more teams chasing wing players — shooting guards/small forwards — than quality talent available at those positions.” He mentioned the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers among the teams “most interested in upgrades,” but he noted “the true list is much longer.”

Since Fournier’s contract isn’t prohibitively expensive, the Magic shouldn’t have trouble finding a team interested in acquiring him. It may come down to how low Orlando is willing to sell as it retools around Aaron Gordon moving forward.

Next: 14. Derrick Favors

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