How every NBA trade deadline deal affects the Orlando Magic – Early Edition
How every NBA trade deadline deal affects the Orlando Magic
Lakers save themselves
The Los Angeles Lakers made a huge mistake acquiring Russell Westbrook.
It was obvious they made a mistake from the moment they made that deal. LeBron James was not a floor spacer and Russell Westbrook certainly was not one either. And on top of that the Lakers seemed to systematically trade all of their shooting.
This deal helps them clear that deck a bit more. It gives them a solid defender in Jarred Vanderbilt and a decent shooter in Malik Beasley. Not to mention another shooter and scorer on the perimeter in D’Angelo Russell.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
The question in the immediate aftermath of this trade was whether the Lakers would pursue more shooting to bolster that lineup.
A favorite trade among Magic fans has the team swapping Terrence Ross for Patrick Beverley. The salaries match and it gives the Lakers some shooting that they need.
The Lakers already gave up one of the few first-round picks they have, but returning a second in addition to Beverley might be enough for Orlando. I would suspect the Magic would simply buy out Beverley and the rest of his one-year, $13 million contract. He becomes a free agent this offseason.
The Magic do this if Ross is determined to get to the Lakers as a trade is the only way to manage the Lakers’ tax bill in response.
The real impact of this deal comes from the Utah Jazz though.
The Jazz gave up a key player in Mike Conley. He has clearly slowed some of late, but he still gives the Jazz a ton of stability. That has become apparent as Utah has started to fade after the team’s hot start.
The Utah Jazz are 10-14 in their last 24 games, including a blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday with the trade becoming official. The Utah Jazz are on the cusp of falling out of play-in position (the team is a half game up on the Portland Trail Blazers who lead the Golden State Warriors in a tight game in the fourth quarter as I write this).
The Jazz are just two games from falling below the Lakers for 13th. Instead of staying in the postseason race, it sure seems like the Jazz are happy to slide down a few spots and increase their Lottery odds.
It feels unlikely Westbrook will ever suit up for the Jazz, considering his history with fans in the city. The Chicago Bulls are already being rumored as a potential destination if he seeks a buyout.
The could have the Jazz slipping from their current spot deep into the Lottery. The Magic are currently slotted fifth in the Lottery odds. The Jazz would have to do some serious losing to catch them.
But crazier things have happened and the Magic are trying to win.