Orlando, FL – It’s time to make some deals.
It’s all but a given that many teams will restructure their rosters and trade with some of their rivals before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The only uncertainty is which teams will be doing so.
To their fans, the Orlando Magic should be one of those teams. At the time of this article’s publication, the Magic sit tied with the Miami Heat for the seventh-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, just within striking distance of securing their first playoff spot in nearly half a decade.
But other teams find themselves in a similar spot in the standings, and they have only gotten stronger. The Indiana Pacers traded for two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam. The Heat traded for sharpshooter Terry Rozier. The Cleveland Cavaliers have recently welcomed defensive maestro Evan Mobley and all-star guard Darius Garland back from their long-term injuries.
The Magic, who have lost 10 of the 16 games they’ve played in January, are falling way behind their competition. To many, making a trade would be a good way for them to rise back up.
But what trades could they make before Thursday? The possibilities seem nearly limitless. The Magic have multiple pressing needs that many players rumored to be made available can fill, alongside a unique combination of young talent, expiring contracts, draft picks and players at expendable positions that they can use to acquire those players. The Magic can use many, many combinations of these assets to find their perfect fit.
But some combinations seem more feasible — and enticing — than others.
Last week, we asked our readers what realistic trades they would make for the Magic if they could only make one. We gathered the suggestions we liked the most or found the most interesting in order to give a representation of what the Magic community is thinking heading into the final week before the deadline.
We won’t know what the Magic’s final roster will look like until the clock strikes 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. But maybe some of these trades could give us a good idea.
Note: Some responses were edited for brevity or clarity.
TRADE 1, Submitted by Joshua Richard (Blue and White Ignite Podcast, @JoshuaR65507965 on X):
Magic receive:
-Gary Trent, Jr. OR Kevin Huerter
Raptors OR Kings receive:
-Gary Harris
-Chuma Okeke
-2024 2nd round pick
It’s no secret that the Magic are in dire need of shooting. Their lack of a presence beyond the arc has been an infamous issue for several years now, and it has not gotten much better this season. The Magic rank dead last across the league in 3-pointers made per game and in 3-point field goal percentage, an alarming statistic that isn’t helped by the fact that they rank just 27th in 3-point field goals attempted per game.
Adding an efficient, confident shooter to this Magic roster would almost certainly change this team’s title hopes for the better. So that’s exactly what Joshua Richard sought to do with his trade.
“Shooting has always been a problem since we started this rebuild,” Richard said. “It’s time they address that need.”
Two shooters in particular caught Richard’s eye: Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. and Sacramento Kings wing Kevin Huerter. The Raptors are in a process of rebuilding their roster — they’ve already traded Siakam and defensive ace OG Anunoby — and could look to unload their team’s leader in three-pointers made, while the Kings are on their quest for their second straight playoff berth but have reportedly made Huerter available for trade.
This season, Trent is shooting 42.4% from the 3-point line off of 5.8 attempts per game, while Huerter is shooting 36.4% off of 5.6 attempts just one season after shooting 40.2% as a starter for the third-seeded Kings. By contrast, the Magic’s best three-point shooter is Wendell Carter Jr., who only averages 2.7 attempts per game. Only Jalen Suggs (38.3%) averages more than five attempts per game on the team (5.2).
Richard has his personal preference between the two, but that preference is not so strong that he won’t strongly consider the other.
“I would prefer Kevin Huerter because he is a better free throw shooter and impacts the game more than Trent, at least statistically this season,” Richard said. “But I don’t think you could go wrong with either player.”
To Richard, the plan for Trent/Huerter would be to keep them long-term and essentially have them replace the minutes of Gary Harris, who Richard sent away in his trade. They would serve as the team’s go-to shooter alongside Jett Howard once he’s ready, and they can help the team adjust to the demanding nature of the playoffs.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting them go, so I’d want to re-sign them because I can see them working well with Jett off the bench,” Richard said. “Their playoff experience would be valuable as well, and I feel like there’s enough passes to go around for everyone to get their shots.”
Regardless, the Magic need as much shooting help as they can. And those reinforcements would almost certainly come with this trade.
“I just think it’s time we get a shooter on this team,” Richard said. “It’s going to help open our offense and improve this team.”
TRADE 2, Submitted by Jasmine Hawkins (Just Jazz, @jazzoobest on X):
Magic receive:
-Daniel Gafford
-Delon Wright
-Corey Kispert
Wizards receive:
-Markelle Fultz
-Wendell Carter Jr.
-2024 1st round pick (Top-14 protected)
The Magic have the star players they want to build their team around. Paolo Banchero was named to his first-ever NBA All-Star game on Thursday. Franz Wagner is widely seen as one of the most versatile offensive players in the league. Jalen Suggs is providing the Magic with All-Defense level show stopping, especially at the perimeter.
Those three players are the clear foundation for what the Magic are trying to accomplish for years to come. But this season, many of their games have been decided by the players who surround them. The difference between winning and losing this year has often come down to the presence of their role players, or lack thereof.
Take, for example, Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. Both are very talented players and are expected to play significant minutes on this team. For the most part, their contributions have led to all-valuable wins in the record book, but that’s when they’re there. Both Fultz and Carter have missed significant time this season, and they haven’t always looked the part of a starting-caliber player when they have been out on the court. They have been that way for multiple seasons.
To some fans, injuries to the team’s most important players is just a part of the game. But to Jasmine Hawkins, they serve as signs that the Magic need to replace some of their injury-prone players with guys who are more available to play.
“Honestly, some of [the thought process behind this trade] was frustration of them always being injured and just ready to move on with [place]holders until their replacement is ready or found,” Hawkins said.
Those replacements, to Hawkins, could come from this trade. She chose to send Carter and Fultz to the struggling Washington Wizards and welcome Corey Kispert, Delon Wright and Daniel Gafford to this team.
The appeal of Kispert wearing pinstripes is rather obvious. He’s currently shooting 36.4% from the 3-point line off of 5.2 attempts and 21.7 minutes per game, just one season after he shot 42.4% off the same number of attempts, but with nearly seven more minutes per game (28.3).
Kispert has been known as a lockdown shooter since his days at Gonzaga University, where he played alongside Suggs.
Delon Wright’s shooting could also benefit the Magic. He’s currently shooting 36.4% from the 3-point line off of 1.3 attempts per game, and he’d likely shoot more if he played more than 15 minutes per game. Hawkins believes that Wright would fit right into this lineup, playing many of the minutes that Fultz currently has and rookie Anthony Black will, hopefully, one day assume.
“Delon is the perfect transitional guard until AB is ready,” Hawkins said. “He’s six-foot-five, shooting (36%) from three and can help organize the floor when needed.”
But Wright’s time in Orlando doesn’t have to conclude after Black takes his role. Hawkins would hope to eventually re-sign Wright when the time comes, and have him play next to Cole Anthony on the bench. Having a veteran like Wright would prove to be very valuable on such a young team, especially for one who could use more consistent minutes at guard.
“Delon is very underrated in the NBA and we would be lucky to have him,” Hawkins said.
In addition, Daniel Gafford averages 7.8 rebounds per game, which would immediately make him the Magic’s leading board-getter (Paolo currently leads the team with seven). He would add to Mosley’s defense (Five of Gafford’s eight rebounds are defensive) and help make life easier for the Magic’s facilitators.
“Gafford is averaging eight rebounds now,” Hawkins said. “That definitely helps us right now. Gafford doesn’t shoot threes but he can create space in the pick-and-roll for Paolo and Franz.”
But who starts in this lineup between Gafford, Goga Bitadze and Moe Wagner? In Hawkins’ eyes, Jonathan Isaac would be the clear choice at the 5, as his impenetrable defense when he plays is worth giving him as many minutes as he can get. But his long injury list, while proving his value to the team, concerns her.
“JI is the wild card,” Hawkins said. “I think possibly if JI could stay healthy he could start, but I believe that’s a big ‘if’ at this point.”
Of the three other players, Gafford would start for the Magic in this new-look lineup. Gafford, Wright and Kispert would all provide valuable skills that the Magic could clearly use and potentially take this young, talented team far into the playoffs.
TRADE 3, Submitted by Sean Iafornaro (@IafornaroSean on X)
Magic get:
-Dejounte Murray
Hawks get:
-Gary Harris
-Chuma Okeke
-2024 1st-round pick
-2025 1st-round pick (from Denver)
-2026 1st-round pick (Top-14 protected)
Dejounte Murray is perhaps the best player rumored to be available before Thursday. He’s an NBA All-Star and remains one of the league’s best scorers, while having a history of elite defense. The Magic know this all too well. Their fans are still burned from the game-winning shot he hit against them on Jan. 17. They know how talented and cold-blooded he is at his best.
The Hawks are reportedly “ready” to move on from Murray. Sean Iafornaro believes that the Magic should jump at this opportunity.
“I feel Murray is the dude to go get,” Iafornaro said. “His contract is already locked up for four years. He’s a big guard who can put pressure on the basket.”
The addition of Murray could completely shift the team’s roster, especially on offense. He’s currently averaging 21.5 points and 5.2 assists per game off of 47.2% shooting from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc. He attempts 17.6 shots per game, 6.1 of which are three-point tries.
Spotty personal history with Banchero aside, Murray’s presence alone would be a tremendous way to lift some of the scoring pressure off of Banchero and Wagner, while simultaneously providing the Magic’s backcourt with the scoring and shot creation it needs.
“Orlando needs a guard who can score,” Iafornaro said. “It’s too much on Paolo and Franz.”
Murray’s game can also help the Magic’s defense. He might not be at his best defensively this season, but he was named to the All-Defensive second team in 2018 and led the league in steals in 2022. It’s not too difficult to attribute his weaker defense this year to a lack of interest in playing in Atlanta, and the Magic could reap the benefits of his defensive talent if they can convince him to buy in.
“Murray and Suggs could be an awesome defensive backcourt that can play off of Paolo and Franz,” Iafornaro said.
The players Iafornaro wants to send to Atlanta are Gary Harris, an expiring contract that the Hawks can re-sign if they need if they would like a veteran presence, and Chuma Okeke, a young forward who has shown flashes of 3-and-D potential. Iafornaro believes that both players fit well next to the Hawks and can assist them in the rebuild that they seem likely to embark on.
“Atlanta doesnt want long-term salary in return, and both [Harris and Okeke] can fit next to Trae and Jalen Johnson,” Iafornaro said. “The money is equal to Murray’s current salary. Chuma is young but with Paolo and Franz there isn’t much playing time. Orlando spent a lottery pick on Jett Howard, who plays Gary’s position.”
But that’s not all. Iafornaro wants to send three first round draft picks to the Hawks along with Harris and Okeke. To some, that may seem as an overpay. But he thinks acquiring a player like Murray would be completely worth it.
“I’d give up three picks for Murray,” Iafornaro said.
If he’s being honest, Iafornaro doesn’t believe that the Magic will make a trade of that degree. But if the Magic don’t want to add another star in what Iafornaro believes to be a weaker free agency class this summer, making a splash like this would be enough to send waves across the league and quench Magic fans’ thirst for another bona fide scorer.
“None of this is probable because [Jeff] Weltman has said every press conference building through the draft and patience, which he is right [about],” Iafornaro said. “I just want to win this season.”
TRADE 4, Submitted by @Caseyyy727 on X:
Magic get:
-Robert Williams III
-Caleb Martin
Heat get:
-Goga Bit adze
-2025 Orlando 2nd-round pick
-2030 Orlando 2nd-round pick (from Milwaukee)
Trailblazers get:
-Gary Harris
-2025 1st-round pick (from Denver)
-2026 2nd-round pick
As it currently stands, the Magic have a very solid roster. As the seventh-seed in the Eastern Conference, it’s doing very well for itself considering that Banchero, its best player, is only in his second season in the NBA. But it could definitely be better-suited for the long tterm, especially in terms of the team’s role players.
That’s exactly what inspired user @Caseyyy727 to make this three-team trade.
“(With this trade,) We of course move from positions of depth to make upgrades while dipping into our draft capital a little bit.”
There are certainly worse upgrades to make than the players he chose. Caleb Martin is currently averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game off of 44.5% shooting from the field and 38.1% from three. In addition, he’s having a career year in
“His fit in Orlando I thought would be great because of his versatility and coming from Miami, as well as having to earn his way back in the league,” Casey said. “He knows the value of defense and is a true 3 and D.”
But the most important thing Martin could bring to this team is his ability to shine under the brightest lights. He was a core member of the Miami Heat’s improbable NBA Finals run last season, and he made life impossibly difficult for juggernauts like the Boston Celtics at their best.
For a team hoping to make some noise in the playoffs, both now and in the seasons to come, the Magic could use someone who is able to do that.
“Just look at his playoff performances last year,” Casey said. “Beast.”
Casey chose to send Goga Bitadze, along with second-round draft picks in return. Bitadze served as the team’s starting center during their nine-game winning streak, but he’s found himself back to the third-string as of recently in favor of Carter and Moe Wagner.
But Bitadze has shown what he can do when given the chance, which the big-needy Heat would be happy to take advantage of.
“The Heat gain a back up big they need that is actually good while moving some depth they have at another position while gaining draft capital,” Casey said.
“Goga, who is solid, really doesn’t have a role with this team and future, so expending him at his peak value and him slotting into Miami’s bench is perfect.”
Despite all of what Martin could provide, Robert Williams III is arguably the centerpiece of this deal. Throughout his time in Boston, Williams has been known for his amazing help defense and presence on the pick-and-roll, two aspects of the game that Mosley emphasizes.
He was acquired by the Portland Trailblazers in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Celtics, but the Magic could certainly use him if Williams’ season-ending injury changes the Trailblazers’ minds about him.
“Robert Williams solidifies a strong backup big that can run the 4 as well in lineups,” Casey said. “He also allows flexibility with roster flow depending how he fits and how Orlando decides to move forward with the center position.”
But Williams has never been the healthiest of NBA players, consistently missing large periods of time during his Celtics days as well. For a team that’s been ravaged by injuries over the last few years, adding another injury-prone big, to some, could seem counterintuitive.
That’s not much of an issue for Casey, who believes Williams fits well enough on the Magic to where worries about injuries should not affect a trade to bring him to Orlando.
“Any player can get unlucky and get hurt,” Casey said. “You just have to look at the skill, talent and fit.”
Casey believes that concerns about injuries should start next year at the earliest. He views this year as a pleasant surprise for the Magic and that next season is when they should expect to start competing, which injuries would absolutely inhibit.
“If a player shows that a previous injury is still lingering (after next season), if the contract doesn’t make sense you have to look at other options,” Casey said.
Casey chose to send Harris, an expiring contract and solid shooter to Portland in exchange for Williams, who could play a massive role in the long-term plans of the team.
Both Williams and Martin could be great assets to have for many future playoff runs, which should be the goal of the Orlando Magic for as long as possible