NBA Trade Deadline Grade: Lakers, Magic Swap Mo Bamba, Patrick Beverley

The Orlando Magic traded center Mo Bamba to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team deal on Friday.

ORLANDO - A four-team deal in the final hours of the trade deadline added upon an intriguing future for the Orlando Magic. 

And they likely won't receive a player in the deal. 

The team traded Mo Bamba, a player that many around the league anticipated being moved, to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Patrick Beverley, cash considerations and the Denver Nuggets 2024 second round draft pick. 

The Lakers, arguably the team that changed the most in the trade deadline period, get a floor spacer and positive three-point shooter in Bamba, all for a reasonable cost. Bamba is shooting nearly 40 percent from three and averages 7.2 points per game. He'll be expected to backup Jarred Vanderbilt for the new-look Lakers as they strive for the postseason. Given the fact that the Lakers improved their team without breaking the bank, they get a B+ for the deal.

In the official press release announcing the trade, Orlando stated it is not requiring the 34-year-old guard to report, bringing likelihood to a buyout. 

But even if the guard never suits up for the Magic, this was still a win for the East's 13th place team. 

By securing that future second-round pick, this adds upon a deep bag of draft capital for the leagues third-youngest team. Thus, giving the Magic a B for the deal.

Now holding on to a whopping 20 draft picks through 2028, including eight first-round selections, the team holds a lot of power on how to build on to its young core. 

Heading into this June's draft, the Magic holds its own first-round pick, along with the Chicago Bulls' as apart of the Nikola Vucevic deal.

The last time the team held two first-round picks within the top 10, they selected two of its biggest building blocks of the future with Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner in 2021. 

Whether or not they hold on to both picks is uncertain, but whatever they choose should only improve on this young and talented roster. 

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You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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