Brandon Bass has been vocal about his displeasure with his playing time with the Magic. With that in mind the Magic might try to move Bass by next week’s trading deadline. They don’t have to trade Bass so it wouldn’t be smart to move him unless the Magic make themselves a better team and I just don’t see them getting that kind of value for him. Bass has played in 29 games (3 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 13.2 minutes, 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game on 52.5% shooting from the floor.

The Magic really need Jameer Nelson to pick it up. He has played in 24 games (23 starts) for the Magic so far this season and he is averaging 28.2 minutes, 11.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The Magic need Nelson to get his shot back because it helps make the opposing teams start to extend the defense opening up the paint for the Magic’s talented front-line.

Back-up center Marcin Gortat was excellent in the playoffs last season and he figured he would cash in and get a starting job at the same time last summer as a restricted free agent. The Mavericks offered him a very nice contract with the idea of making him their starting center but the Magic matched it surprisingly and he was not happy then. He really must be fuming now because of his lack of playing time this year. Gortat has played in 32 games (0 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 13.2 minutes, 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. The Magic might be interested in trading him at the deadline if they have any needs to fill but the team doesn’t appear to have many weaknesses right now. That means Gortat might have to grin and bear it the rest of the year.

Rashard Lewis is looking a little rusty since his return from a league suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. He has played in 18 games (all starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 33.3 minutes, 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Lewis is still shooting well from three point range hitting 40.9% from behind the arc. When Lewis picks up his game, because it is coming, then lookout for the Magic who will start playing better than they are right now which is pretty hard to believe.

Vince Carter is leading the Magic in scoring this season but he is shooting awful this season hitting only 39.9% from the floor and 33.6% from three point range. Carter has played in 24 games (23 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 31.7 minutes, 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. If he can get his shooting % up to 45% from the floor then the Magic will really be a good offensive basketball team.