The Magic Insider

Magic 'Sleeper' in Trade and Free Agency Market

Trade rumors should surround the Orlando Magic all offseason long.

Jeremy Brener

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic has a good problem on its hands.

While some players shined more than others this season, every player that saw consistent minutes for the Magic proved why he could be part of the team's future. The starting five (Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.) are all projected to return, and there are key reserves in Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac that can contribute.

On top of those players, Bol Bol, Chuma Okeke, Caleb Houstan, Kevon Harris, Moe Wagner and Goga Bitadze could all make an impact as well. Then, add in the fact that the Magic holds two potential lottery picks in the draft this summer, one of which could be as high as No. 1. With all of the pieces in place, the Magic could be in line to make some moves this offseason.

"Orlando has the infrastructure in place to angle for immediacy," Bleacher Report writes. "It finished 11th in points allowed per possession this season and seems one bold-text shooter away from really uncorking the offense. The Magic are also ticketed for over $20 million in cap space, with the bandwidth to create more. They're a sleeper to make headlines in both the trade and free-agency markets—at the expense of pretty much anyone not named Paolo or Franz."

The Magic believes in its core to help get the team to where it wants to be, so mixing things up and changing the infrastructure that's been built is risky. However, risks need to be taken in order to reach the NBA mountaintop, and the Magic is in position to make a calculated risk that could reap the team a massive reward.

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Jeremy Brener
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.

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