2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[HanspardShowerVoice]

I think that is good thinking. Problem I see, Powell would be totally redundant in Orlando at center behind Vuch, Birch and Bamba. Unless you try to play him at PF. Exchanging Aminu for Powell also doesn't bring cap relief. How about this?:

Johnson+WCS+Green+draft compensation for Gordon+Aminu

Powell might actually be a pretty good fit with Vuc.    Vuc is a stretch big on offense, while Powell can be a rim roller.     On defense he allows Vuc to park under the rim and move as little as possible.  

Mo Bamba is an absolute zero and is of no consideration.  He is behind Khem Birch.   Khem Birch is better than Aminu and Bamba, and is actually one of their top 5-6 players.  The reluctance to trade for Powell would probably have more to do with overlap with Birch, but Birch's main strengths are offensive rebounding and a mid range shot which aren't what Powell is known for.

Some clarity about Bamba’s situation finally materialized Tuesday night after the Magic lost to the Toronto Raptors. Coach Steve Clifford inserted Bamba into the game for the first time with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, with the Magic trailing 120-102.
When Clifford was asked by The Athletic what Bamba needs to do to earn more minutes, Clifford provided a clear-cut answer that should clear up any confusion. Clifford said: “As I explained to him, the reality is this: Our best position by far is the five spot. By far. Vooch is playing at an All-Star level. Khem Birch is not just good now; Khem Birch is having a terrific year. So a lot of it is that. (Bamba) is playing behind two guys who (are excelling). Every night, it’s not even close — our best position is the five.”
In other words, Nikola Vucevic and Birch simply are better players right now than Bamba is.

In other words, Nikola Vucevic and Birch simply are better players right now than Bamba is.

That should not be taken as a slight toward Bamba. There’s no shame in sitting on the depth chart behind two players who are having career seasons. Vucevic has emerged as a bona fide contender for an All-Star spot. He’s averaging 22.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while also making 43 percent of his 3-pointers. Birch’s offensive-rebounding rate is nearly elite, and he has added a decent mid-range shot to his game, and he also plays with high energy.

“I think Khem, in his role, is one of the best backups in the NBA,” Vucevic said a few weeks ago in response to a question about Birch. “He understands his role. He sticks to it. He never steps out of it. He’s a great roller, great rebounder, great defender. Whatever is asked of him to do, he does it. So it’s very easy for everybody to play with him on the second unit with him out there.”


Vucevic’s comment is instructive because it hints at how other Magic players regard Birch. They love to play alongside Birch in part because he does the team’s dirty work. He scraps for rebounds. He sets bone-crunching screens. And he defends with a motor that never stops. But the players’ respect for Birch goes further than that. They view Birch as someone who has paid his dues and earned his playing time. After going undrafted in 2014 and playing several seasons overseas, Birch has carved out his minutes through hard work and toughness.