Orlando Magic Daily 2023 Mock Draft 2.7: Imagining trade possibilities

The NBA Draft process and coverage of the NBA Draft process go through a normal rhythm.

First, there is a look at all the prospects on a surface level. Then teams and scouts really dive in and seek out the hidden gems. Measurements are taken to get further clarification on the prospects. The draft order gets set and everyone has an understanding of what teams will like.

Then comes the doubting phase. Were those initial evaluations wrong? What role does team fit have in the draft order and calculations?

Then comes the trading phase. We are here.

We are at the trade phase of the pre-draft process. So we update our Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft with a thought to the trade possibilities ahead.

The draft is a deadline and deadlines create movement for teams looking to make moves. Teams are playing a giant game of chicken trying to figure out what they value, what other teams value and how best to maximize their draft asset.

Teams will look to move around to get their player and entice other teams to move around to get theirs. All while swapping out veteran players.

Everyone has their own goals in each draft.

The Orlando Magic? They are one of the teams that are difficult to pin down.

On one hand, they are a young team that could use perhaps one more bite at the apple to grab a potential star player high in this draft. They have two Lottery picks to help them move around in the Draft and get that last piece to the puzzle.

On the other hand, the team is already pretty young. They were knocking on the doorstep of the postseason after an impressive final three-quarters of the season last year. They could be a team in line to push some chips into the middle and make a sizable leap — especially with the cap room they have at their disposal.

The Magic could just as easily use their picks to trade up in this draft as they could to move back in this draft or move out.

There are a lot of possibilities.

This post is meant to be the beginning of an exploration of what those trades look like and what the Magic could be willing to give up to move around in this draft.

The process of this mock draft is to select players based on who the Magic would want to pick if they move around. We will break down some popular rumors on the Internet as well and highlight where there might actually be some frameworks for a deal.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

Top of the Draft

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.

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.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

The Real Move-Up Targets

Trade Chance: Something there, but long way to go

So who are the real trade partners for the Orlando Magic above them? Who are the teams they could actually try to trade up with? And, more importantly, who are the players they could target?

If the Charlotte Hornets take Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson is on the table at No. 3, all of a sudden, it feels like the team could make Cole Anthony or Jalen Suggs available. That might be more enticing to the Portland Trail Blazers.

So much of making trades is also about the motivation of the teams to make a trade. And the Trail Blazers are certainly motivated to make a deal to try and build a roster around Damian Lillard as he starts to agitate for the team to improve or ship him out.

The above deal is the framework that was suggested in an article on Bleacher/Report and was discussed between myself and Locked on Trail Blazers’ Mike Richman a few weeks ago:

We both came to the conclusion that the Magic would not make a deal for Brandon Miller. But there was a rough framework to make a deal work. I was bullish on trading Wendell Carter’s favorable contract for Jusuf Nurkic’s contract (he has three years left at $16.9 million and increasing compared to Carter’s $13.1 million and decreasing in the next three years). Carter might end up being a better player anyway — although Nurkic’s size and toughness is intriguing.

The real question in all of this is would the Magic be willing to make this kind of a deal to trade up to No. 3 to take Amen Thompson? Thompson is a bigger guard at 6-foot-7 who fits the Magic’s overall drafting philosophy. He is a dynamic athlete and attacker.

At the end of the day, my draft philosophy has always been, if you have a guy you really want, go and get him. Most teams can figure out depth around them anyway. If the Magic believe in Amen Thompson that much, they should chase after him with real fervor and that might mean sacrificing some core pieces if that helps complete the vision for this team.

I am doubtful that Jeff Weltman and the Magic view Amen Thompson — or even Scoot Henderson — as worth all of that. I think most of the Magic’s trades would probably focus on moving Nos. 6 and 11 to move up. Maybe they might part with Cole Anthony considering his contract situation (he is extension eligible this offseason before restricted free agency next season).

But that probably is not a good framework to deal with Portland.

Trade Chance: Not really much chance

Similar to the problem with trading with the Charlotte Hornets, it is hard to see a trade scenario between the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets that is not just exchanging draft picks.

The Rockets do not have a lot of players they seem like they are looking to move — outside of Kevin Porter Jr., whose $15.9 million salary and four years left would make him difficult to move to a team like Orlando that is still trying to maintain flexibility. It is hard to see the Magic have that much interest in making a deal.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

In the Vicinity

Trade Chance: There is something there

This is a variation of a deal that was pitched by Ku Kahil of Locked On Pistons that originally included Marvin Bagley III (I countered with a version of this deal that removed Jonathan Isaac and added in Chuma Okeke and Bol Bol for Bagley).

The point of those discussions is that a deal with the Detroit Pistons does make a certain amount of sense. There is a framework for a deal and a couple of variations to make something work.

Again, the question then becomes who do the Magic want to target? Is this a deal they only do to ensure they get Amen or Ausar Thompson, whichever one is left? Is moving up one spot worth both first-round picks? That would be a ton of belief in whoever they are drafting. But there is no shame in that if that is the player the Magic want to draft.

There is a framework for a deal here. And a framework to help the Magic get better in the short-term — whether that is giving Marvin Bagley III another chance or going after a veteran shooter like Bojan Bogdanovic (although he does not seem like a long-term fit considering his physical profile).

I do not think a trade with the Pistons is likely. But it is not impossible.

Of course, this is the part where I put a pin in all those trade up discussions and say the Orlando Magic could be — and perhaps should be — fairly satisfied with what their options are at No. 6.

If the goal of this draft is to take a big swing, then maybe it is important to move up and make sure the team gets that player — whether that is Scoot Henderson or Amen Thompson. Maybe it is important to put in the assets and just do it to set up the team’s free agency too — the Magic do not need to get younger.

Then again, maybe the team would be perfectly happy taking whatever is left to them between Ausar Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Both have star potential with Thompson as a dynamic two-way player and athlete and Whitmore a more traditional scorer who has shown potential as a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter.

Sometimes the simple answer is the correct answer and all these complicated trade scenarios are just idle thinking. The Magic should still get a solid player at No. 6. The question is whether that is an option they want or are comfortable with.

To me, there is a better chance the Magic are uncomfortable with what is left to them at six. There is better opportunity to trade down and entice teams to trade up for a Whitmore or Thompson while still netting a solid player later in the draft.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

Trade-Down Options

Trade Chance: Framework exists, but unlikely

So who are the teams that might want to trade up to get the No. 6 pick? Who needs a player like Cam Whitmore or Ausar Thompson? The players directly below the Orlando Magic seem like better fits for a player with that star potential. And the Magic should be looking to mine some potential and talent by trading down so they can shore up their overall depth.

There is a framework for the Indiana Pacers to make a deal here.

They could offer Buddy Hield in a swap for Jonathan Isaac, giving the Magic the volume shooter they need and Bird Rights to keep him after his contract expires at the end of the season. Or they could think smaller and look to shore up depth by acquiring Jalen Smith or Isaiah Jackson with some future draft capital to make up the difference.

The question here is the same question the Orlando Magic would have if they tried to trade with the Detroit Pistons. How much is too much to move up just one pick? That is why a trade with Indiana feels unlikely, even if there are a few iterations that could make sense for both teams.

This is the kind of trade that I am actually kind of into when it comes to this year’s NBA Draft. Going out and moving down to still get a player like Anthony Black — a great defender and a 6-foot-7 point guard who still has to improve as a shooter — and adding a backup center (a critical need for the Orlando Magic this offseason) would be a huge gain.

Even though Gafford has three years left on his deal (starting at $12.4 million), he is a solid backup center option who will be able to hold his own in his minutes when he has to start or when he comes off the bench. He is exactly what the Magic probably are looking for from the backup center role — even if the contract looks like an overpay.

The Washington Wizards are a team in flux right now.

New management seems like they are pointing toward a full rebuild. They have player options for Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma to deal with. This is a team in need of assets if they are going to restart themselves. A trade up in the draft that comes at a minimal cost to them feels like a win for them.

There is very much a framework for a deal here. And I would not be surprised if this is a team the Magic are talking with ahead of the draft.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

The Second Pick

Trade Chance: Not likely

The Utah Jazz too would seem like a great trade partner for the Orlando Magic. They have a ton of draft picks to spend.

So if they want to be aggressive and climb the draft board, they have plenty of ammo to chase after it — my friend David Locke of Locked On Jazz has been calling me for a while to ask whether the Magic would trade Jalen Suggs for No. 19 and No. 28, which I politely said, “No.”

Utah could be fairly aggressive if the team wants to be. And Orlando could be a team that is open to moving around in the draft. Moving down a few picks for future draft capital.

The problem with a framework in this deal is the Jazz do not have a lot of players that would entice the Magic at their current state. They are not rebuilding and looking for a ton of second draft options.

The Jazz roster played well last year, but it still needs a lot to compete at a higher level. And swapping draft picks alone just is not going to do it.

Trade Chance: Moot point

Like the other times when a team is moving up or down one spot, it is hard to figure out what the value is of one more pick. The Orlando Magic are pretty likely to get a player they want at No. 11 — in my book, Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins but that could easily be Anthony Black or Cason Wallace or Dereck Lively. So why would they try to move up a spot?

Maybe a veteran backup big like JaVale McGee would do it. Maybe getting a sharpshooter like Maxi Kleber would. It would take something like that. But even those players have question marks surround them — McGee did not play much last year and Kleber is coming off a pretty major injury.

This just does not seem like a place where the team would seek a trade.

I will be flipping back and forth betweenGradey Dick and Jordan Hawkins for the next week and a half until the draft. If Orlando comes out of this draft with one of those two prospects, I think we should be able to call it a successful draft for the Magic, quite honestly.

Orlando needs shooting and the team seems to be in a good position to get it. However, if the intelligence tells the Magic that Dick or Hawkins will not be there at 11, then all of a sudden some of these trades start to look a lot more enticing and Orlando’s draft strategy probably changes a bit.

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.7

The Rest of the Lottery

Trade Chance: Timing isn’t right

It is really hard for teams that are in the same developmental stage to make trades. The contracts do not align and teams are usually not looking to help each other. They still need buyers and sellers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not ready trade partners — unless the Orlando Magic really want Aleksej Pokusevski or to give Ousmane Dieng a second draft opportunity.

The Thunder have a boatload of picks to offer. But are they looking to spend a ton of them to move up one spot? Are the Magic really looking for a ton more picks right now?

Trade Chance: Strange Bedfellows

There is something here if the Toronto Raptors wanted to be aggressive and move up two picks. Chris Boucher is an interesting backup big options, although he is coming off a poor season and still has a few years left on his contract. They could offer some other bit players too in Precious Achiuwa or Malachi Flynn. But there is not a lot that moves the needle and could get the Magic off their pick.

The other part of this equation is the Toronto Raptors likely know the Orlando Magic are among the teams that would chase after their free agents in Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. If they have any hope of keeping those players, maybe trading players away to clog up their cap sheet is a viable strategy (they should know what is going to happen with both by then).

It does not seem like these are likely partners for a trade. Especially if the magic can get what they want at 11 without giving up anything else.

I honestly cannot come up with a deal that makes sense for either team here. A swap of Jonas Valanciunas and Wendell Carter might make sense for both teams — giving the New Orleans Pelicans a starting center that can spread the floor and pass rather than a paint-bound one.

But that is the problem. Carter is probably a more valuable player and asset. So why would the Magic trade him and the more favorable pick? Right?

The point of this exercise was to show how difficult trades can be in this league. And to show that it takes a good framework. There are definitely some targets and teams that the Magic can target to move around.

But it ultimately comes down to who the Magic want to grab in this draft and what they are willing to spend to get there. Really the big complication for Orlando on the trade market is that the team is not likely ready to commit any of its players to trades quite yet. The Magic are not ready to give up on a lot of players — they want to see just how good they are.

That will only add to the intrigue of this year’s draft.

Here is the rest of my updated first round:

We will be back with a final mock draft next week ahead of the NBA Draft. Stay tuned for more draft profiles as we head to the final stretch of the draft process.