NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Shopping Veterans?

The Orlando Magic could be a big player at the NBA trade deadline. Will the team make a move?

Jeremy Brener | Dec 12, 2022

NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Shopping Veterans? /

ORLANDO - With the NBA just days away from the unofficial start of trade season, more rumors are beginning to fly, and some involve the Orlando Magic.

Bleacher Report writes that the Magic is "expected to shop Gary Harris, Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba."

Harris, 28, signed a two-year deal this offseason but has been limited to just six games with knee and hamstring injuries. As a 36 percent three-point shooter during his career, Harris could provide a veteran presence off the bench for a contender in need of shooting. However, that's also why the Magic like him, as he provides a skill not as developed within the rest of the roster.

Ross, 31, is in the final year of his contract, making him possibly the likeliest player to be dealt. This isn't the first time Ross has dealt with trade rumors, but the Magic clearly like his value and veteran leadership. The question for Orlando will be whether the team finds a trade worth making for someone who provides as much off the court as he does on.

Bamba, 24, could bring back the biggest haul for any prospective Magic trade target. He signed a two-year deal this summer and is enjoying a solid season for Orlando, averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. He's also shooting over 38 percent from beyond the three-point line. For any team needing a big man who can space the floor, Bamba is one of the best candidates. When Wendell Carter Jr. returns from injury, the frontcourt will be even more crowded and Bamba will have to fight for backup minutes alongside Moe Wagner, who has had arguably his best season to date.

The Magic has built a strong chemistry with the team it has, so trading any player will come with consequences. It's up to the front office to determine whether the pros will eventually outweigh the cons.

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Published Dec 12, 2022

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.