Our series of articles looking at who the Orlando Magic could target for a trade in each division continues with the Pacific.
So far we have covered the entire Eastern Conference — the Atlantic, Central and Southeast Divisions — and the Northwest Division — selecting one player from each team that could help improve the Magic next season.
Last season was one that yet again ended in frustration and disappointment, exiting the playoffs in the first round with a 4-1 series defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Making the postseason for a second straight season was an achievement and defensively the team once again looked solid. But at the other end of the court it was a different story.
Steve Clifford’s team ranked just 23rd in offensive rating, scoring 107.9 points per 100 possessions. Their shooting was a huge concern, coming 25th in 3-point percentage at 34.3 percent and 22nd in 3-point shots made per game at 11.1.
The shooting and offensive weaknesses are something that must be addressed if the team is to move forward and not stand still, or worse.
Decisions must be made by the front office over whether to utilize the trade market this offseason. The likes of Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier have helped the team move back into the playoff positions but the franchise is now in a position where it must choose the right path forward.
Strengthening at the wing positions with better shooting is something that should be targeted. Fournier had a strong regular season but struggled in the postseason and the team is awaiting his decision on whether he will take up his player option.
A serious injury to Jonathan Isaac also leaves the team short at small forward. The Magic require shooting improvement if they are to stand any chance of progressing.
Orlando could also use some depth at point guard to provide backup to Markelle Fultz, depending on whether D.J. Augustin and Michael Carter-Williams re-sign with the team.
Here is one player from each team in the Pacific that could help the Magic improve next season…
Eds. Note: The deals proposed here are for instances and examples of what it might take to acquire these players. They do not reflect any actual reporting or indication either team is interested in such a deal.
LA Clippers: Lou Williams
The Orlando Magic are in desperate need of more scoring and that is exactly what Lou Williams would provide.
Williams has made his name as an excellent sixth man, winning the award three times during his career, and averaged 18.2 points per game last season.
The Clippers have gone all in to try and win a first NBA Championship by acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but so far it has not gone to plan as they blew a 3-1 lead to exit the playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
It was a defeat that ultimately cost Doc Rivers his job. LA must win a championship within the next couple of years while they have George and Leonard. Lou Williams provides the team with valuable scoring off the bench but the franchise may be tempted to move pieces around to try and find the winning formula next season.
The Clippers are not that strong at the power forward position with the contracts of both Marcus Morris and Montrezl Harrel set to expire this offseason. Gordon would be a solid option for the team and would provide both good defense and offense with the potential to improve even further.
Williams’ three-point stats don’t jump off the page at 1.7 made per game last season off 35.2-percent shooting but his large scoring bursts could help inject some life into an Orlando offense which once again struggled last season.
Defensively he is not dependable which may put head coach Steve Clifford off a move for Williams but he would provide depth at the guard positions, an area where the Magic need to strengthen.
Gordon has been a key player for Orlando and still has time to improve so attempting to secure an exciting prospect like Landry Shamet, who is a good three-point shooter, could also give the Magic a boost next season.
Sacramento Kings: Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield has proven himself as one of the league’s elite three-point shooters during his time at the Sacramento Kings.
The shooting guard knocked down 3.8 per game last season at a rate of 39.4-percent, a decrease from 42.7-percent the previous year. But he attempted almost two more per game.
Orlando needs an energetic guard with excellent shooting and Hield would provide that. At 27 he should be at or approaching his peak and could reach a higher level with a change of scenery. Not to mention he just signed a four-year extension and so would be wrapped up with whoever acquires him for some time.
Despite Hield’s performances, the Kings were unable to make the playoffs again last season and have not reached the postseason since the 2006 season.
Hield is a tremendous offensive talent but the Kings need to get back in the playoffs and may be tempted to sacrifice his talent for a trade which could make the team better.
Things with Sacramento have soured to the point where Hield was coming off the bench last year. There was a fraying of the relationship between player, coach and team.
Sacramento were not the best defensively, ranking 19th for defensive rating by giving up 111.4 points per 100 possessions. They also ranked 25th for defensive rebounds per game at 32.9 and 27th for blocks at 4.1
Offering a defensive prospect like Mohamed Bamba, whose ceiling depends on how effectively he can use his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities, could help address these weaknesses. While he struggled in the postseason, Evan Fournier did have a very good regular season and averaged 18.5 points per game meaning they would have a suitable short-term replacement for Hield.
But with the possible departure of Bogdan Bogdanovic this offseason, whose contract is expiring, Sacramento may be reluctant to lose another talented two guard. Including a draft pick in the deal may make the deal more tempting but it would be a lot to ask the Kings to give up Hield, who they have under contract until 2024.
The only concern is that Hield is not a good playmaker. And certainly not as good a playmaker as Fournier. But Hield’s ability to hit shots at a high rate and spread the floor is something the Magic desperately need.
Hield has quickly become a fan-favorite target for the offseason.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma
Trading with the newly crowned NBA champions is not going to be easy for any team this offseason. The combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis proved to be too much for any team to handle while they were also helped by some big performances from the team’s role players.
After averaging 18.7 points per game and 33.1 minutes in the 2019 season, Kyle Kuzma has seen his role reduced this offseason due to the arrival of Anthony Davis but has still averaged 12.8 points per game in 25 minutes per game.
Kuzma is a talented offensive player who could have a bigger role on another team. He is an NBA champion but will find his opportunities limited again next season.
He is not the best three-point shooter but is still capable of knocking them down, shooting 31.6 percent last season. He is effective operating close to the basket with great footwork and quick hands allowing him to finish well.
Kuzma could be a welcome boost to the Orlando offense but has once again shown his potential this season. His low salary contract makes him difficult to acquire as he offers excellent value for money, while the Magic have little to offer at that level other than Mohamed Bamba.
The Magic would probably have to give up an offensive talent like Evan Fournier or Aaron Gordon. But given the Lakers’ success, it may be that they wish to keep things the same. It would also require Orlando to take on a bigger contract like Danny Green.
Magic fans have long pined for Kuzma and his spurtable offensive ability. The Lakers are likely looking to use some of their lesser-used role players to improve their talent even more for a second title run.
Phoenix Suns: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was having an exceptional season for the Phoenix Suns before suffering a season-ending torn meniscus injury in February.
The small forward was averaging 18.7 points per game off 45.2-percent shooting, while knocking down 35.2-percent of his threes in his best year to date.
Phoenix will probably be reluctant to lose the 24-year-old given his recent performances but his contract situation gives the front office a dilemma. Just one year remains on his current deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
The Suns surprised many people in the Orlando Bubble, putting together an impressive run of results without Kelly Oubre thanks to some huge performances from the likes of Devin Booker.
Next season is a big one for Phoenix. They have a good core of young talent and must start making it back into the postseason soon. Their clock on Booker is starting to tick.
But Oubre has not committed his future to the franchise and will demand a lot of money in free agency. They could look to capitalize on his high trade value in order to improve the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
Oubre has strong defensive abilities but the team overall has been held back by their poor performances on that end of the court. They ranked 22nd for points given up in the paint per game with 49.8 and ranked just 21st for defensive rebounds at 33.8 per game.
Any team that trades for Oubre, despite the possibility they will only get him for a season, would have to give up a lot. Aaron Gordon is a defensive player who could help improve the Suns but it would mean the Magic are giving up talented players who are committed to being a part of the team’s future. Adding a veteran in Khem Birch would help bolster their lineup too.
The Magic and Suns reportedly discussed a deal involving Gordon and Oubre before the trade deadline. It seems likely the teams will revisit this in the offseason. Oubre would provide the shooting and versatility that Gordon lacks while Gordon provides the defensive versatility the Suns need.
This would be a win next season type of move that would see the front office give up some important players. With Jonathan Isaac’s injury, Orlando will not be at full strength next year and it is possible that the front office would rather wait to make a big move of this kind.
Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins
With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson returning for the Golden State Warriors next season, the team could soon be challenging for a championship once again.
An extremely poor season has given the team the number two pick in this year’s NBA Draft giving the front office plenty of options for what moves they can make, as does Andrew Wiggins’ large contract.
The Warriors are likely interested in winning now. They are not likely looking to wait for a rookie to develop while that window is open.
It would make sense for the Warriors to make moves which are more about winning now, especially due to both Curry and Thompson being older than 30. Golden State could move Wiggins for a trade they feel would improve the team’s chances of winning another title.
The Magic need to inject more scoring into a stagnating offense and Wiggins would do that. He averaged 22.4 points per game at the Minnesota Timberwolves last year before moving to the Golden State Warriors, where he averaged 19.4 points in 12 games for the team.
Wiggins is an archetypal wing player. While his 3-point stats are not eye-popping, knocking down 2.1 per game at 33.2-percent last season, he has the ability to score from anywhere on the court and can comfortably create his own shot.
The 25-year-old could well play an important role in a team contending for a title but the Magic could look to capitalize on Golden State’s current situation by looking to acquire their pick and Wiggins.
The real prize in the trade is not Wiggins however. The real prize is the second pick in the draft. The Magic could use it to select a scoring wing like LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards (a player who is very similar to Andrew Wiggins). Or they could use it to add to their front court with James Wiseman.
The top of this draft is not great. But having the option and pick of any player in the draft would be valuable to the team.
Golden State will likely have plenty of options on the table so any Orlando offer would have to be a good one. Aaron Gordon could provide a valuable contribution to both ends of the court. He has long been connected to the Warriors in a potential trade.
Even if that does not work, Nikola Vucevic would also be a solid fit with the Warriors as a spread-5 center.
But given what the Warriors will be giving up, it may well take even more than this suggested trade. Nikola Vucevic is the Magic’s biggest contributor and a deal of this importance might have to include the center for it to happen.