Magic Starting 5: Damian Lillard Trade Rumors Heat Up

Damian Lillard could be traded in the coming days, and the Orlando Magic could be part of the reason why.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 27, 2023

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Orlando Magic

1. DAME DEAL "The Miami Heat has been the clear desired destination for Damian Lillard ever since he requested a trade back in July, but other teams, including the Orlando Magic, seem to be gaining traction in the discussions.

"According to Sportsnet, the Magic is being "heard" in the Lillard trade sweepstakes."

2. MOSLEY PRAISES KARL "He really invested in the players," Mosley said on the HoopsHype Podcast. "That’s what I think I took the most from him. It was always about investing in the guys. How do you get them better and help them reach their potential for whatever they’re trying to do and become great?"

3. PAOLO STEPPING UP "I watched him during a practice in Las Vegas and the way he carried himself and projected his voice in certain drills," Mosley said on the HoopsHype Podcast. "I think that’s going to go so far when he’s back with the Magic because it’s a level of leadership you’re asking him to step into. I think he recognizes and feels that. It was a great experience for him to be around that group of players and those coaches."

Zach LaVine Paolo Banchero — Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero defended by Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

4. SHAQ'S LESSON LEARNED "I realized that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best," O'Neal said via The Houston Chronicle. "That year we faced off, and the best won out. It just made me a much stronger competitor."

5. WAGNER PIECES TO SUCCESS "Wagner, 22, is entering his third season with the Magic after being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. In his first two seasons, Wagner has shown potential of being a high-quality player in the league, and there's hope that his trajectory will continue."

Published Sep 27, 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.