Potential Trades and Candidates for the Orlando Magic before Trade Deadline
Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic Acquire Draft Capital and a Shooter from the Miami Heat
Why the Orlando Magic do this:
With the Orlando Magic having a lot of cap space and in need of shooting, getting a shooter in Duncan Robinson, while also getting a first-round pick for the cost while giving up only two guys who are expendable is a solid trade for Jeff Weltman.
This is the perfect addition-by-subtraction trade. The Magic have second-rounders (they usually do not like using them anyways). Giving the Miami Heat one in order to sweeten the deal for them makes sense.
This would give the Magic another first-rounder if they want to in the future push their chips in the middle of the table in to trade for a star player. In the meantime, they can try to make use of Duncan’s skill as a sharpshooter.
Why the Miami Heat do this:
The Miami Heat have one of the worst contracts in the NBA with Duncan Robinson. After a great couple of seasons with Miami, Pat Riley and company decided to give Duncan Robinson a five-year deal worth $90 million. Robinson was very smart to accept that.
At the time, he was coming off two seasons shooting 44.6 percent and 40.8 percent from 3-point range. With shooting being such a hot commodity in the league, the Heat decided to re-sign Robinson in free agency. Since then he has not been as consistent of a shooter as he was prior to signing that deal.
There could be a few reasons why. Tyler Herro’s emergence has reduced Duncan Robinson’s looks. As has Max Strus’ emergence.
Whatever the reason is, Miami would absolutely love to get rid of Robinson’s contract. He has 3-years left on his deal after this season worth $57.5 million in total. They probably attach the first-round pick to Robinson to get that deal done.
The Heat would also acquire a backup big man, as they are currently playing Orlando Robinson in that role. Mo Bamba would help space the floor for Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
Miami has one of the best developmental programs in the league, maybe they could unlock some of R.J. Hampton and Mo Bamba’s potential.