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Potential Trades and Candidates for the Orlando Magic before Trade Deadline

By Muhammed Jumani

Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic looks on (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic looks on (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
OG Anunoby is the big fish many teams are hunting at this year’s trade deadline. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic

Magic Cash in Their Chips for OG Anunoby

Why the Orlando Magic do this:

The Orlando Magic’s defense has been up and down. They have the talent and personnel to defend well each night. The roster has Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter. All of whom are plus defenders.

But it is the consistency that kills this team.

Getting a guy like OG Anunoby, who is one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders would help this team tremendously. He is also a reliable option to stretch the floor. He is shooting nearly 37 percent from 3-point range this season on 5.2 attempts per game.

The question of whether the Magic’s front office wants to do this trade or not boils down to 3 questions:

First: Do they believe OG Anunoby alongside Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter in the starting lineup can work?

Second: What do they think of Jalen Suggs and can he truly be that long-term franchise 2-guard alongside Markelle Fultz in the backcourt?

Third: Is OG Anunoby truly worth giving up three first-rounders for?

This is an all-in trade for sure. It would cost quite a lot — even if this proposed offer is on the conservative side, but it still is a lot. The question is more about whether the Magic are willing to put the chips in.

It does not appear they are ready to do so. Jeff Weltman said the team is not planning to skip steps in this process.

The answers to these questions would deem if they swing on an Anunoby trade or not.

Why the Raptors do this:

The Toronto Raptors have been shopping OG Anunoby. They feel like their current roster’s ceiling is capped out and they would like to sell high on their guys and rightfully so. The Raptors are looking for three first-rounders for Anunoby along with a good young player.

This trade fulfills that. Cole Anthony may not be the most promising good player but the Raptors do this deal because they are getting two first-round picks and an additional first-round pick swap.

The Raptors would be on their way to retooling their roster around Scottie Barnes with a few extra first-rounders in their back pocket. This trade would be a similar one to the Orlando Magic-Chicago Bulls Nikola Vucevic trade. Cashing in on a player when his value is at its peak can help a ton.