NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Teams Have 'Exploratory Interest' in Orlando Magic PF Chuma Okeke
ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke hasn't played much in his fourth professional season.
So far this year, Okeke has made nine appearances and averaged 1.2 points per game. All of his playing time has come at the end of blowouts. With this development, it's likely that Okeke's time with the Magic is coming to an end ... whether that comes when his contract expires at the end of the season or in February at the NBA trade deadline.
Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
HoopsHype is reporting that there are a few teams who have already expressed interest in acquiring Okeke at the trade deadline.
"With several first-round picks over the years on the roster, the team has a bit of a logjam. Chuma Okeke, the No. 16 overall pick in 2019, is a name to monitor," HoopsHype said. "In the past, the Cavaliers, Suns, Nuggets, and Bucks expressed exploratory interest in Okeke, who’s considered a good locker room presence and a hard worker, HoopsHype has learned."
All four of the teams listed are playoff contenders at worst, so it's unlikely that Okeke would get playing time with these other teams.
But Okeke may be one of Orlando's top trade assets that the Magic would feel comfortable dealing, so if there is a market there, the front office should explore it. He likely wouldn't command more than a second-round pick given his expiring contract, but the Magic should be interested in getting future value for Okeke before he likely walks away from Orlando for nothing.
