NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Teams Have 'Exploratory Interest' in Orlando Magic PF Chuma Okeke

Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke is expected to enter free agency this summer.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 4, 2023

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Orlando Magic

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.

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."

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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.

Published Dec 4, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.