The Orlando Magic stunned NBA followers after they gave the Boston Celtics a collection within the first spherical. Orlando misplaced 4-1 in opposition to the defending champions, however confirmed indicators that they’re one or two items away from being severe contenders within the Japanese Convention.
With Jayson Tatum out for the season with a torn ACL, the Magic are one crew that stands to realize loads. Step one in that course of is nailing their first spherical decide within the NBA Draft. Orlando has the sixteenth decide, however may simply transfer up or down. The San Antonio Spurs decide two spots forward of them, making them a main candidate for commerce.
Consultants anticipate that the primary spherical will probably be stuffed with trades so groups can place themselves to safe their prime targets. The Magic discovered all through final season that they’re in determined want of 3-and-D wings. Their protection was wonderful final yr, however their effectivity from deep was the worst within the playoffs by far.
The Spurs have a veteran in Harrison Barnes who may convey his expertise and taking pictures to the Magic. With the correct bundle, Orlando may transfer up two spots to allow them to have an earlier shot to select UConn ahead Liam McNeeley, one of many sharpshooters on this class.
San Antonio has been included in lots of commerce rumors, however most middle across the second decide. Orlando may provide them depth and older gamers in change for dropping again simply two alternatives. Their depth is appreciable a lot in order that Jett Howard barely received any minutes throughout his rookie season. A deal between the 2 on draft evening may very well be a win-win commerce.
Orlando receives: Harrison Barnes, 2025 first spherical decide (#14)
San Antonio receives: Goga Bitadze, Tristan de Silva, Gary Harris (#16)
Why the Magic ought to make this deal
Orlando is already trying to bundle gamers to make a giant deal this offseason. Sending Harris and Bitadze out clears up minutes for Howard and Jonathan Isaac within the rotation. The Magic’s main purpose this summer season is to herald a degree guard to play alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Nevertheless, taking pictures can also be a giant concern. Buying and selling up for McNeeley solves the latter emphatically. Throughout his freshman season with the Huskies, the ahead struggled together with his effectivity. Regardless of that, he’s thought of one in all this lessons sharpshooters.
Bringing Barnes in boosts the crew’s taking pictures with out sacrificing an excessive amount of defensively. Sending Bitadze and de Silva out within the deal stings, however the Magic have sufficient depth to ship them away to herald gamers which might be a greater match. Giving head coach Jamahl Mosely extra freedom to experiment with smaller, quicker lineups. This yr’s NBA Finals are proof that transition may help a crew make a deep playoff run if they’ll do it nicely.
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McNeeley, Howard, and Jalen Suggs give Orlando threats from 3-point vary that they didn’t have in opposition to Boston. Barnes could be an improved model of Harris whereas giving the Banchero a veteran he can depend on. the Magic have the top-end expertise obligatory to reach the East, and this deal helps fill out their bench.
Why the Spurs ought to make this deal
The Spurs have extra future draft capital than virtually some other crew within the league. Nevertheless, the addition of De’Aaron Fox earlier this season exhibits a want to compete now as a substitute of constructing over time. In a Western Convention stuffed with expertise, depth goes a great distance. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder confirmed {that a} crew can go 10 or 11 gamers deep and have success in opposition to the remainder of the league. This deal provides them much-needed assist off of their bench with out giving up that a lot.
Barnes has achieved every part requested of him throughout his time in San Antonio. Nevertheless, the previous NBA champion has misplaced a step defensively. His title has been thrown round in Spurs commerce rumors, however San Antonio may maintain onto him till the draft to benefit from buying and selling him within the second.
The distinction between the 14th and sixteenth decide within the draft doesn’t imply a lot to the Spurs. They’ve the final two Rookie of the Yr winners on their roster, in addition to the second decide on this yr’s draft. At this level of their rebuild, the purpose is to encompass their star duo with competent gamers who may help the crew climb the ranks within the West. Bitadze, Harris, and de Silva may give that to San Antonio.
The Orlando Magic’s draft technique comes all the way down to who they like of their draft vary and the way keen they’re to maneuver up and get who they need. If a commerce turns into their best choice, they’ve what it takes to make it occur.