The NBA Trade Deadline always brings out the most creativity out of NBA fans.
With mock trades all over the place and with rumors and reports coming out, there is a lot to process and sort through. It is sometimes hard to figure out what is real and what is wishful thinking.
With the huge surprise on Friday afternoon that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, there are always twists and turns and surprises and unseen changes.
The possibilities of trades have increased too with the Magic potentially being involved. The Magic are a perfect team not to acquire Irving but to be a third team to help facilitate a trade.
And then there is, of course, the fact the Magic themselves are a team who could be ready to start making some moves to improve the roster as they continue to surprise this season.
The Orlando Magic head into the trade deadline with two simple needs: more shooting and a reliable backup big man. The trade deadline gives them a chance to fix these needs and set up their future.
The Magic have assets, there is no doubt about that.
The Orlando Magic own all their own picks, in addition to the Chicago Bulls’ 2023 first-round pick and a first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets likely to convey in 2025. They also own a second-round pick swap from the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. They also own two additional second-round picks in 2026 from the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. They also have the Boston Celtics’ second-rounder in 2027 and 2028, along with a 2027 second-round pick swap between the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards.
The Magic also have a ton of cap space coming for them this offseason — nearly $30 million with the potential to make more.
They have salary fillers in Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross (who are also very likely going to be moved). Those are two players who can still contribute to a rotation and have large enough salaries that they could add something back for the Magic in a trade.
On top of all of this, the Magic are playing well on the court. The team already has 21 wins entering Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets off of last year’s 22-win season. They are sneaking their way into the postseason chase.
There is a lot to like about the Magic this season.
Orlando has a lot of guys deserving of minutes that are simply not playing. The Magic at some point will need to consolidate and push their chips in the middle of the table to obtain a star-level player to add to this core.
That work could well begin at the trade deadline. And there are already a few frameworks the team can work to make some significant improvements at the deadline.