“The Orlando Magic have been knocking on the door to becoming true contenders in the Eastern Conference for years now,” the article wrote. “This trade deadline proved that they still aren’t ready to come inside. Orlando’s only move to “upgrade” a 25-24 overall roster was to offload Tyus Jones and his $7 million salary onto the Charlotte Hornets (who later traded him to the Dallas Mavericks). The move got the Magic out of the luxury tax, yet cost two second-round picks, not ideal for a team that gave up four first-rounders for Desmond Bane last summer. Jones was dreadful for Orlando this season, although it would have been preferable to send his expiring contract and those picks to a team in exchange for a rotation player who could actually help. With the East wide open, the Magic looked at the trade deadline and said ‘no thanks’.”
