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Orlando Magic Daily 2023 Mock Draft 2.7: Imagining trade possibilities

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 9, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; City Reapers guard Amen Thompson (1) shown during the game against the Cold Hearts at Overtime Elite. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; City Reapers guard Amen Thompson (1) shown during the game against the Cold Hearts at Overtime Elite. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scoot Henderson, G-League Ignite
HENDERSON, NEVADA – DECEMBER 27: Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite checks out of a game against the Ontario Clippers in the second quarter of their game at The Dollar Loan Center on December 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated the Clippers 114-108 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

Top of the Draft

San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama. 1. player. 29. . C

Trade Chance: Not great

This trade was pitched by ESPN in an article proposing hypothetical deals to trade up to No. 1. Among the other proposed deals included a deal offering Joel Embiid. That is the level of prospect that everyone views Victor Wembanyama as. The San Antonio Spurs would need a king’s ransom even to pick up the phone and discuss anything internally.

They are not doing that. Nobody wants to be the team that passed on the 7-foot-5 wunderkind who could potentially flip the game on its head. So, that is all we need to say about it.

SG. Charlotte Hornets. Scoot Henderson. 2. player. 170.

Trade Chance: Poor Framework

The Orlando Magic are reportedly a team many teams believe is looking to trade up in this draft, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. It really feeds into the “one last bite at the apple” philosophy of this draft.

The question of trading up though is what are the Magic willing to give up to move up in this draft and, more importantly, who will they target.

Scoot Henderson is an obvious natural target for the Magic. They need a dynamic scorer and playmaker off the dribble, which Henderson would give the team.

The Charlotte Hornets still seem to be debating between Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller. Either way, finding a framework for a deal seems difficult. The Hornets are not looking to shed salary — unless the Magic want to combine Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz to get Gordon Hayward — and do not have a lot of player the Magic might be willing to take on.

Perhaps trading for another guard wriggles free a Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs or Markelle Fultz for a trade. But even then, the Hornets do not have great salaries to match and make things work.