Nikola Vucevic (9) and Victor Oladipo (5) of the Orlando Magic (Photo : Doug Pensinger | Getty Images Sport)
The 2004 Detroit Pistons were the only team to win a championship without any superstars. It's the exception more than the rule.
The Orlando Magic are a very entertaining team and they were even predicted to make the playoffs under coach Scott Skiles.
However, the East has become more competitive with the resurgence of teams like the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers. These teams were Eastern powers as recent as 2014 when they faced off for the Eastern Conference Finals.
LeBron James' departure, Paul George's injury and recurring health issues forced them out of the playoffs last season. However, despite numerous changes in the roster, their teams are now competitive-currently tied at third place in the East with a 9-4 card.
How can these teams recover so quickly? Simple answer is these teams have superstars. The NBA is a league of superstars and the Orlando Magic does not have one.
They have good players, but no superstars, and probably no one with the upside of Andrew Wiggins, or even Karl Anthony Towns.
What they do have are a collection of young players who could be starters or role players-at most the third best player on a contender. This is the basis of a Real GM thread.
Among Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Mario Hezonja, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic, it was mentioned that the combination that would get the best package was Oladipo and Vucevic.
Dipo is a defensive shooting guard who can score and defend well with his athleticism. However, he is not a reliable outside shooter. Vucevic is a double-double machine but not a rim protector. But to the right team, these two could be assets.
According to The Cauldron from SI.com, there are four stars that can be moved by the deadline. Paul George is now playing at MVP form, and whatever experiment Larry Bird and Frank Vogel had in Indiana turned out successful, so he's not going anywhere.
Bosh from Miami are also doing well, but Pat Riley would move him for the right price if the Heat do not reach expectations. This may take long and Riley may ask for more, but this is possible.
Kevin Love is putting up All-Star stats as he did in Minnesota. Vucevic can also put up similar numbers, except for the three point shooting. But if it means getting Oladipo, who is playing at a high level this season, it might move the Cavs needle. Remember that the Cavs paid a ton of money for Tristan Thompson who's a PF just like Love.
There could be other targets as the season rolls along. The point is, the Magic are a team that could be aggressive at the deadline and they have the assets to play with.
