NBA 2K19 MyGM: 30 Franchise-Saving Trades You Must Make
9. Orlando Magic
Players Out (position, rating, contract value/length, age):
Timofey Mozgov (C, 74, $32.72m/2, 32), Evan Fournier (SG, 79, $34m/2, 25)
Players In (Chicago Bulls):
Robin Lopez (C, 77, $14.36m/1, 30), Antonio Blakeney (SG, 69, $1.35m/1, 21)
Why:
The Magic successfully shifted Bismack Biyombo's terrible contract this summer, but picked up Timofey Mozgov's equally horrible deal in return. The big, lumbering stiff is a millstone the rebuilding franchise can't afford to keep hold of. He's gotta go, and while teammate Evan Fournier is a fine NBA player and one of the Magic's brightest lights during the ongoing dark period, he's a defensive liability who can't be accommodated at the current cost.
The above trade leaves Orlando worse off in 2018-19, but opens a boatload of cap space for a summer that could see Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving all hit free agency.