Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Where the Orlando Magic might target trades

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Philadelphia 76ers Guard Jerryd Bayless (0) carries the ball around New Orleans Pelicans Guard Ian Clark (2) in the second half during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers on February 09, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers (10th, 26th Overall Picks)

It is easiest to target teams with multiple picks in the first round. Surely they want to move up and get a chance at a better player. Just as a team might want to move down to get multiple bites at the apple in the first round.

The Orlando Magic seem like a team that might be willing to make this trade. They need more talent, after all. And if the options at No. 6 are not appealing, that could become a valuable trade asset. In this instance, trading a high-salary player like a Nikola Vucevic or Evan Fournier could be the cost of moving up to the sixth pick.

The Philadelphia 76ers are as good a bet as any to try to take this deal. At the very least, it seems like they are in a position to sell that 26th overall pick to help keep their payroll low.

The 76ers are trying to keep their options open this summer. They are looking to cut salary to keep a max space open. They are not about to change that plan without LeBron James himself informing them he will not be coming beforehand. That seems unlikely at this point.

Philadelphia wants to go after the big fish to complete the “Process” and put themselves over the top.

That makes trading down from six to get these two picks highly unlikely. Orlando is not going to be able to attach the big salaries necessary to make moving off six worth it. Or to acquire anything of value from Philadelphia that would help them cut salary.

What is a more likely deal with Philadelphia is to move up from the second round to acquire a veteran player.

Trading the 35th and 41st pick for the 26th pick makes some logical sense for Philadelphia. It takes them off the guaranteed contract that comes with the first-round pick while also giving them two high-value second-round selections.

If Philadelphia is looking to cut salary, this could be a path to do so.

As an added bonus, maybe the Magic could agree to acquire Jerryd Bayless ($8.6 million expiring deal) and trade the 76ers Shelvin Mack (only $1 million of his $6 million salary guaranteed). That would help Philadelphia create even more cap room and give the Magic another solid veteran point guard who can shoot, no less on a reasonable deal.

At the very least, there seems to be something worth exploring if the Magic are interested in acquiring another late first-round pick.