Loser: Orlando Magic
Let’s get this straight. Just a few short months after sending Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the 11th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka, Orlando dealt away Ibaka for Terrence Ross and the Toronto Raptors’ first-round pick this year (more on that here).
That in and of itself is just horrendous. But when we look at the whole picture, it’s even more ridiculous. Ilyasova Was originally acquired by Orlando in the deal that sent Tobias Harris to Detroit last year. He came with Brandon Jennings, who played in a handful of games with the Magic last season before signing as a free agent with New York during the summer.
What does this mean exactly? The Magic actually moved Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo and the 11th pick in last year’s draft (Domantas Sabonis) for Terrence Ross and what promises to be a late first-round pick this year. Talk about just horrible.
At 21-37 on the season, Orlando boasts Eastern Conference’s second-worst record. The team has no clear philosophy in its front office. And in reality, it has given up too many solid assets for nearly nothing to be taken seriously as a legitimate franchise in the Association.
Add in the fact that Orlando reportedly turned down a deal that would have brought in DeMarcus Cousins earlier this season, and that’s magnified even further. Simply put, Orlando is an absolute dumpster fire right now.