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.
Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic
Magic Add Luke Kennard’s shooting
or . . .
Why the Orlando Magic do this:
This trade would help the Orlando Magic a ton.
They would get one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters at a pretty minimal cost. And they get him for a few more years even if they have to deal with some injury issues with them.
Luke Kennard the last four seasons has shot the following percentages from 3-point range: 39.9 percent, 44.6 percent, 44.9 percent and this season at 45.3 percent. He is a 42.8-percent career 3-point shooter.
Outside of Gary Harris, the Magic lack a premier 3-point threat that defenses respect.
Terrence Ross has always been a heavy fan favorite, letting him go will be bittersweet for everyone, however, it is best for Ross to contend for a championship instead of getting DNPs in Orlando for a rebuilding team.
Or if the Clippers do not want Terrence Ross, there is Mo Bamba. The Clippers reportedly want a backup center. And Bamba might be further down the list, but he is readily available and fairly affordable.
Bamba’s writing is simply on the wall with the Magic. He has been kicked out of the Magic rotation, barring any injuries or foul trouble. Magic have established Wendell Carter as the starting center and Moe Wagner as his backup. Bamba’s place on the Magic is simply a third-string Center.
Why the LA Clippers do this:
The LA Clippers get a veteran presence and a playoff-experienced player. Terrence Ross has been in the league for a while and is a great locker room presence. He is also experienced in the playoffs. He is a reliable scorer off the bench, something the Clippers lack.
The LA Clippers either replace shooting with Terrence Ross or they add the backup big man they need for Ivica Zubac.
Mo Bamba could help space the floor and open up the lanes for Clippers’ superstar duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Bamba has a non-guaranteed $10.3 million salary for next season that can come off the books if Clippers waive him by June 29, 2023.
This also opens up the Clippers’ cap books more.
Kennard has two years left on his deal after this season making close to $15 million per season. Meanwhile, Ross is a free agent this summer. Kennard has also been kicked out of the Clippers rotation. That is why he is ripe for a trade.
All in all, Clippers mainly do this deal for cap flexibility while also acquiring a couple of extra second-round picks.
The Magic get a shooter in this deal and bolster their bench with a solid veteran who can pop off at a moment’s notice.
Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic
Magic Acquire a reliable Big Man and a Shooter
Why the Orlando Magic do this:
The Orlando Magic simply need more shooting.
The most recent example was the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers this past Wednesday. The Magic played great defense, holding the 76ers to only 105 points. However, they shot 6 for 38 from 3-point range (15.8 percent). As Coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game, “We couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean tonight.”
Nights like those are the reasons the Magic need a guy like Gary Trent Jr. and why the Magic are connected to him not only for the trade deadline this week but also for free agencys in July.
The Magic need a guy who can be a threat from the perimeter. It will do wonders for guys like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz, all of whom like to get the ball downhill going to the rim.
The 24-year-old Trent is averaging a career-high 18.9 points per game this season on nearly 38 percent from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts per game. He is someone opposing teams respect a ton defensively. He has also shown improvement on the defensive end. He is averaging a career-high 3.0 deflections this season.
He is also only 24, fitting the timeline of this team perfectly.
The Magic can potentially have $41 to $54 million dollars this summer in cap space depending on what they do with Gary Harris. Some of that money can be used to re-sign Trent. The Magic would get Trent’s Bird Rights as well if they acquire him prior to the trade deadline.
Trent would fill a clear need for this team. But Orlando have other needs to improve the team’s depth.
There were reports the Magic were interested in Isaiah Hartenstein this past offseason. He eventually chose the New York Knicks. But things have not worked out for him. His numbers are down across the board and the entire league recognizes the Knicks are not using him the same way he found success last year with the LA Clippers.
Hartenstein is a do-it-all big man. He rebounds the ball very well. He sets screens very well. He is a great rim runner and has a very nice touch around the rim, can finish with both hands.
He has a defended field goal percentage of 59.2 percent within 6 feet, which would make him sixth amongst big men in the NBA. His rebounding would do wonders for Orlando, as they have struggled at that this season.
Why the Toronto Raptors do this:
This trade all comes down to how the Toronto Raptors’ front office sees Gary Trent Jr. in their team’s future outlook. And then what the Raptors ultimately do with their roster ahead of the deadline.
Trent has an $18.6 million player option this summer, he will undoubtedly decline that player option and seek a long-term deal with a higher salary annually.
There have been numerous reports suggesting he is seeking a contract in the mid-$20 million per year ballpark, similar to what Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole received.
If the Raptors’ front office sees themselves paying that and keeping Trent, then this trade will not happen. However, if the Raptors plan to let Trent walk this summer, then this is a perfect trade. They get a first-round pick for a guy they do not envision being on the team next year. That is maximizing value at its finest.
It could help reset their roster in a major way too. That is part of the Raptors’ goal this deadline.
There have been a ton of reports of the Raptors having a firesale and trading away their core guys in OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and Pascal Siakam. The entire league is waiting on Toronto’s decision of what to do with their roster.
The Raptors also get Mo Bamba and R.J. Hampton, both of whom are not really promising players. But, they have shown flashes and there is none better than Nick Nurse who can somewhat unlock their skills.
Hampton has shown flashes with his shooting from downtown. Meanwhile, Bamba has shown the ability to protect the rim and space the floor.
Why the New York Knicks do this:
With the New York Knicks re-signing Mitchell Robinson and the emergence of young big man Jericho Sims, Isaiah Hartenstein’s role once Mitchell Robinson is healthy again would diminish. The Knicks need more help scoring on the wing as they are heavily reliant on Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
Terrence Ross can certainly help in that regard. He would benefit from the open looks he would get from the star duo tandem in the Big Apple.
Outside of those two, the Knicks are heavily reliant on Quentin Grimes to spark some offense, which can be tough to do on a nightly basis for a young player like Grimes.
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.
Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic
Magic Buy Low on Doug McDermott
Why the Orlando Magic do this:
Two reasons the Orlando Magic do this: They do right with Mo Bamba and get him out of a situation here in Orlando where he is not playing nightly. And they add a great shooter for a very cheap second-round pick.
Doug McDermott is on his second year of a three-year deal currently is making $13.8 million next season on the final year of his deal. He is shooting 41.2 percent from 3-point range this season, he shot 42 percent last season. He would be a great guy off the bench to help the Magic space the floor.
He does have defensive deficiencies but playing in the Magic’s system filled with good defensive players, they can somewhat help him on that end.
Why the San Antonio Spurs do this:
Pretty simple, the San Antonio Spurs want to get Doug McDermott off their cap books and open up more playing time for their young guys. The Spurs are looking for one or two second-round picks for McDermott.
This trade they get a second and a flier on a guy like Mo Bamba. They can play him behind Jakob Poeltl (unless they move Poeltl at the deadline) and see how he performs. That will give them an idea if they should make Bamba’s $10.3 million salary for next season guaranteed or not.
If anyone can unlock Mo Bamba’s potential, it is arguably the greatest coach of all time, Gregg Popovich.
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.
Trade candidates for the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic Decide Not to Trade for Fred VanVleet
The Orlando Magic have cap space, as previously mentioned. Everyone is eager to see how the Magic deploy this tool.
Fred VanVleet is a free agent this summer. There have been numerous reports suggesting that the Toronto Raptors and VanVleet are not seeing eye-to-eye on a contract extension.
The specter of the Magic and their widely reported but still hard-to-believe heavy interest in VanVleet is likely pushing the Raptors to shop VanVleet hard at the deadline. The question is whether the Magic are actually interested in VanVleet and if they are whether they need to act now to get him or if they can wait until July.
The Magic simply do not need to give up assets to acquire a guy that the Raptors are for sure willing to let walk this summer. Also, acquiring Fred VanVleet would put an already crowded backcourt of Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony playing time in jeopardy.
The only way Magic should make this deal is if they truly believe they are willing to part with one of those three guys, most likely Cole Anthony, then it is a possibility. Acquiring Fred VanVleet would put him next to Markelle Fultz in the starting five with Jlaen Suggs and Gary Harris as the backup guards.
However, Magic seem to still believe in Anthony. Vanvleet and Anthony are both undersized offensively inefficient guards. Does giving $30-plus million dollars annually to an undersized inefficient guard nearing 30 years old really make sense then?
Vanvleet would be a good addition if he would be willing to come on a two- or three-year deal with a neighborhood of $20 million annually. But he has reportedly already rejected a four-year, $114-million offer from the Raptors prior to this season.
It would not make sense for the Magic to pay him that much money for guy that would be 33 when his four-year contract ends.