Every team in the NBA has a hierarchy. The players on the team have got to learn their place in it. Sometimes, their place changes. It may not even be the player’s fault. In some circumstances, a team is simply forced to move on.
Look at the Orlando Magic. There was a time when Jonathan Isaac was seen as the future of this franchise. That time has passed. Unfortunately, Isaac seems to get hurt on an annual basis. By now, the Magic have replaced him with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. In all likelihood, that pair of forwards will carry the franchise moving forward.
On the other hand, Malcolm Brogdon likely knows that he’s not high on the Portland Trail Blazers’ hierarchy. It’s not an issue of talent – Brogdon is a good player. The Blazers are simply rebuilding. By all accounts, they only acquired Brogdon with the intention of moving him later. Could they re-route him to the Orlando Magic?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Jonathan Isaac, C Goga Bitadze
Orlando Magic Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
Meanwhile, a rebuilding team’s hierarchy will generally look different than a contending team’s. A contending team has a simple pecking order. The best player on the team is at the top, and so forth. For a rebuilding team, it’s a little different. The most important player on the team isn’t necessarily the best player, if by “best” we mean most impactful.
Was Paolo Banchero the best player on the Magic last year? On/off splits would suggest otherwise. In all likelihood, the most impactful player on this team last year was someone like Gary Harris or Wendell Carter Jr. Were they the most important players on this team?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Orlando Magic Updates
Of course not. Meanwhile, it’s not Banchero’s fault that he didn’t impact winning – rookies seldom do. He remains the most important player in this organization. Should the Magic pair him with Brogdon?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
This is one of those trades that either team could regret. If Isaac reaches his potential in Portland, the Magic will miss him dearly. With that said, they must be tempted to give up on Isaac by now. He seemingly gets injured every year.
Of course, Brogdon isn’t without health concerns either. Yet, there feels like a much stronger chance that he’ll be able to stay healthy. If he can, he’s exactly the type of player that Orlando needs. This team has a stockpile of young, playmaking wings, but they lack floor spacing. Brogdon can be one of the most efficient shooters in the NBA when he’s having a good year.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Orlando Magic Updates
He’s also a consummate professional. That’s the type of veteran that a team likes to have around its young players. If Orlando wants to take a leap this season, they should be interested in Brogdon. Should Portland want to keep him as an elder statesman?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
No. These teams are in different positions. Orlando has been rebuilding for some time, and they should be ready to make a play-in push. By contrast, the Blazers are in year one of their rebuild. They need young talent more than they need mentorship.
Isaac is young, and he’s talented. He may be extremely injury-prone, but make no mistake: his potential is through the roof. When healthy, Isaac looked like he could be the best defensive wing in the NBA someday. Meanwhile, the Blazers could use an injection of young talent in his position.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Orlando Magic Updates
After all, they’ve got young guard talent. Like any team, the Blazers have a hierarchy. Scoot Henderson is at the top of it. There’s no reason for this team to let Malcolm Brogdon eat into Henderson’s minutes. After all, he’s the most important player on the team.
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