The NBA draft has been a pivotal moment during the offseason for the Orlando Magic over the last few years. After finishing as the 5-seed and taking the Cavaliers to seven games in the first round, this will be the first time since 2020 that they do not have a high draft pick, and even then, they had the 15th pick, which is one pick outside of the lottery.
The Magic have not had this important of an offseason since Dwight Howard was on the team, and the main focus of it will not be in the draft. The Magic have done their part in rebuilding through the draft and progressing young players they draft. Since 2020, they have drafted and developed Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and more.
It feels good to finally be able to say that they are in win-now mode and do not need to focus on drafting and developing young talent. They need veterans and/or players who can contribute now and help them win as they rise as a threat in the East. This means they would be best off trading out of their first-round pick, especially because it is pick number 18.
With that pick, they are already getting a non-lottery talent and that is in a draft that is already being considered to be one of the worst in the last decade. With getting a little taste of what they are capable of, I don't think even the first pick in the draft would be helpful to them; they absolouelty need win-now players.
The obvious way for them to do that is through free agency, but besides that, they should, without a doubt, look to trade their pick in a package with maybe some future picks since they seem like they are going to be a problem for some years, and a player or two to get a win-now player. There is no point in wasting a roster spot on a mid first-round rookie who will not be a real contributor until 2026.
They are still bringing along their first-round picks from last year’s draft— Anthony Black and Jett Howard—so it is in their best interest to trade their first-round pick and maybe even include one of these young players to sweeten the deal since this year’s draft picks hold a lower value.
With all the rumors that have surrounded the Magic this offseason so far—with deals involving names like Trae Young and Anfernee Simons—it seems to be in their best interest to use their first-round pick to get them some help. These are a few packages that could set them up to be even more dangerous next season.
Trade target #3: Malcolm Brogdon
The Magic need a point guard, who can run the offense, shoot the three ball, and create their own shot. They get all that, plus an established veteran who has been in multiple deep playoff runs with Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon has shown that he is still an elite scorer and shooter while also being able to command an offense.
Brogdon, who is 31, is on an expiring deal, and it does not look like the Blazers will end up resigning him. He is older and does not fit the trend of their rebuild. Instead of letting him walk for free, they could get some draft capital in return and not make the Jrue Holiday trade look like a scam.
My proposed trade would be the Magic receive Malcolm Brogdon, and the Blazers get Caleb Houstan and the 18th pick.
With Brogdon, the Magic get everything they are looking for in a point guard at one of the cheaper prices. Brogdon averaged 15.7 points per game, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds on 44 percent shooting from the field and 41.2 percent from three, making over two a game. He is one of the more consistent three-point shooters in the league.
Brogdon played in 39 games and had at least three made threes in 13 of them. He could play a big part in addressing the Magic's shooting woes and give them another behind-the-arc threat for when their shooting gets stagnant, as it often does. Brogdon can answer their three-point shooting prayers as well as contribute from inside the arc.
As seen in the playoffs, when Franz Wagner is inconsistent and Paolo Banchero is drawing double teams, it is nearly impossible for the Magic to generate offense. Jalen Suggs does his best to pick the slack up, but it is just not enough. Having a lethal scorer at the point guard spot to help them out as a third option would be a vital pick up for the Magic to make a playoff run.
Brogdon is an elite shot-creator and an extremely efficient scorer. He does not demand the ball and can work off the ball, but he also can put his head down and get a bucket when his number is called. He scored at least 20 points in 11 games this year, including a 30-point game against the Pacers. This was all on the Blazers where he was a main focal point of the offense. Next to Wagner and Banchero, he would have the most help he's had since he was Sixth Man of the Year in Boston.
Being next to Wagner and Banchero would help his offense, but he also needs to return the favor by moving the ball to his All-Star caliber teammates. This is no problem for Brogdon. He had 21 games with 6 or more assists, including four double-doubles and a season-high of 12. Brogdon's scoring ability creates opportunities to make plays for his teammates, and he always takes advantage.
On the other end of the court, Brogdon had a down season, but being surrounded by other elite defenders would allow him to get help on that end. The Magic proved that their defense is elite this past season. They need more scorers and ways to generate offense, so they can afford to have another offensive-minded player.
Brogdon dealt with injuries this past season but showed that when he is on the court he is still a really productive point guard. With a full offseason ahead of him, he should be good to go for the start of next season. Brogdon could be the missing offensive piece that brings Orlando back to the finals.
Trade target #2: Cam Thomas
The goal for the Magic this offseason is, without a doubt, to bring in a point guard who can shoot and allow Suggs to play the shooting guard. However, with limited options and trade pieces, Cam Thomas could be an alternate route that still provides the Magic with most of what they are looking for. Thomas is an efficient shooter who could be an elite third option in the NBA if traded to the Magic.
With the Nets having a disappointing season and not having any draft picks to try to build on their extremely mediocre team, they could be looking to start over their rebuild. The Nets do not seem like they are an appealing free agency option, so they could take advantage of getting younger and gaining draft picks in this deal.
My proposed deal is the Magic receive Cam Thomas, and the Nets receive Anthony Black, the 18th pick, and the 47th pick.
The Nets get a young point guard that their bridge point guard Dennis Schroder can mentor, and also gain some draft capital that they do not currently have. Meanwhile, the Magic get an explosive new piece that could bring their offense to a whole new level. The Magic would have to be content with Suggs continuing to be the point guard and initiating the offense, but the risk might be worth it with Thomas' skill set.
Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game, 2.9 assists, and 3.2 rebounds on 44.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.4 shooting from three. Thomas is an elite three-level scorer, but one-dimensional in the way that he is really only a scorer. To most teams, that would be a negative, but to a team that has been a bottom offense for the past few years, this is magic (no pun intended) to their ears.
Over 66 gamesThomas had 15 games with 30-plus points, including four 40-point games. He also had 25 games with at least 3 three-pointers made, including multiple games with 5 threes and a game with 6. Although he might only be a scorer, he excels at it and is able to put up thirty points on any night, which is exactly what the Magic could use.
It is not only how many points he gets, but the fashion that he scores in. It is nearly impossible to guard Thomas one-on-one. Thomas has an elite stepback, is one of the best at creating his own shot, and can shoot the three and the midrange at a high level while also being able to get to the bucket. He can just about do it all with the ball in his hands.
The only thing he needs to work on is moving the ball to his teammates when he has it. Although he is not a natural playmaker, he still had 14 games with 5 or more assists. When Thomas gets it going he can suck in a defense and even draw a double sometimes. If he can learn to move the ball more consistently, he will be the full package on offense.
On the other end of the floor, Thomas is another below-average defender. However, he more than makes up for it with his offensive abilities. Although he is not the best defender, he still gives effort on the defensive end, and playing with the Magic would lessen his offensive load and allow him to focus more on defense than he has in the past. Thomas’ offensive upside makes it completely worth it for him to be on the floor, and the Magic need another offensive talent in their starting lineup more than they need more defense.
Thomas is not exactly what the Magic are looking for, but he might be exactly what they need. The Magic have created an elite defensive identity, so bringing in an elite scorer would balance out the roster a lot better. If the Nets do decide to restart the rebuild, the Magic should immediately make a call about Thomas.
Trade target #1: Terry Rozier
The best trade partner the Magic can go to with the 18th pick is none other than their in-state rival: the Miami Heat. Rozier is the best option for the Magic, which checks all of their boxes while also being realistic. Rozier is a veteran guard who can shoot, facilitate, and play a little bit of defense.
The Heat are in a tough situation where they are only getting older, and they are paying a lot of people a lot of money. After losing in the first round and some tension between star forward Jimmy Butler and executive Pat Riley, they may be thinking about going in a new direction this upcoming season. Rozier is set to make over 24 million dollars, and he only played 30 games with the Heat, so they would not really have to adjust to losing him.
My proposed trade is the Magic receive Terry Rozier, and the Heat receive Anthony Black, Jett Howard, and the 18th pick.
The Magic get their point guard for the future under wraps, and the Heat get more three-point shooting, a young point guard that fits the Heat culture with his defense and athleticism, and a first-rounder. This would put Rozier in a position to finish out his prime in Orlando and dedicate his best years to bringing the Magic a ring.
Rozier averaged 19.8 points per game, 5.6 assists, and 4 rebounds per game on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 36.3 percent from three. These are very good stats from a starting point guard, and the crazy thing is that Rozier actually had a down year. The Hornets had a lot of problems and they struggled to mesh, and then once he was traded to Miami he spent the rest of the season learning how he fits with the Heat.
Although he would definitely have a grace period where he would have to build chemistry with the Magic, once he gets settled into a new home and a new offense he can be an elite point guard all around. Offensively, Rozier is everything the Magic need in a point guard. He is another three-level scorer who can facilitate at an efficient rate.
Rozier had thirteen 25-plus-point games along with multiple thirty-point games and a game with 42 points. He also had 24 games with at least three three-pointers made, including multiple games with eight made three-pointers. Rozier is another player who makes a lot of tough buckets off the dribble through stepbacks and getting to the paint.
Rozier is also a natural playmaker. He had 31 games with at least 6 assists and 5 games with double-digit assists. Rozier has a knack for creating for others, and his three-level scoring ability definitely helps open up the floor for him and whatever team he is on. Rozier has proven that he can run an offense on three different teams already.
Defensively, Rozier had a down season, but he showed early in his career that with the right help and the right system, he can be a really good defender. Rozier is definitely the best defender out of the three options and he can compete with any point guard in the league. He held Trae Young to 3-10 shooting, Tyrese Maxey to 7-18 shooting, and De'Aaron Fox to 5-13 shooting during the regular season.
Rozier is an all-around point guard who can provide the Magic with everything they are missing at the position. If the Heat are looking to get younger, the Magic can help them with that while getting an elite scorer and facilitator out of it. Terry Rozier in a Magic jersey should be the sight every Magic fan dreams of seeing come next October.
For the first time in years, the Magic need to get win-now players, and they no longer need to waste years on developing talent. The Magic do not need to waste their pick on more talent that needs developing, and need to use their assets to their advantage instead. The Magic could use their draft capital that they no longer need to get them their future point guard.
If the Magic can get a point guard who can shoot and facilitate, they might find the missing piece to a championship run. The Magic have developed a strong defensive identity and just need to find some offensive production to really be a threat in the East.
Brogdon, Thomas, and Rozier all provide that in their own ways. Any of these players could bring the Magic's offense to the top of the league. An established scoring guard alongside a defensive mastermind in Jalen Suggs and two All-star caliber players in Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero could be a starting lineup that no one wants to face.
After watching them take the Cavs to seven games, no team wants to see what the young Magic look like with another 15-20 point per game scorer. Draft time is coming, and this year it's exciting for a whole new reason. Magic fans should be excited to see a new point guard at the helm of the roster.