Magic Trading 'Ample Ammunition' Soon?

Could the Orlando Magic trade for a veteran at this year's NBA trade deadline as they look to make the playoffs?

The Orlando Magic’s roster is in limbo entering 2023 as a young up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference. Last year, they missed out on the play-in tournament but showed signs of a bright future...does that future require making more trades, though?

Orlando drafted two more guards in the NBA Draft, investing lottery picks in Anthony Black and Jordan Howard, making nine of their 15 rostered players guards. This means that some veteran players like Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs have a higher chance of being moved at some point this season so that younger players with higher upside can develop. 

Also, among the players that could be traded is Jonathan Isaac. Once viewed as an integral piece of the Magic’s future, injuries have limited Isaac to playing in just 11 games over the past three seasons. As the old cliche goes, the best ability is availability, and although Isaac is supremely talented, it may be time to try trading his contract.

“Should they get off to a strong start, they have ample ammunition to make a trade to bolster their roster at the deadline, but for now they’ve been quiet on the trade market,” UPROXX writes.

While Orlando is a young team that hasn’t yet hit their ceiling, freeing up some space in their crowned backcourt and bringing in a veteran to help establish their identity in the locker room could pay dividends. Jimmy Butler helped elevate the Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs in 2017-18 as a tone-setting all-star veteran on a young team. 

A trade partner for the Magic could be the Los Angeles Clippers if their seasoned roster isn’t cooking when the deadline approaches. Someone like Paul George, a former MVP candidate in his early thirties that’s still performing at an all-star level and could help the Magic get back into the playoffs and get the Clippers some younger assets in return.

At this point, Orlando has more young pieces than they need, but if the trade deadline approaches this season and there’s a veteran fringe all-star like PG-13, it could be time for the Magic to cut ties with some of their depth by packaging them in a trade to acquire a more proven commodity. 

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