The Magic lost by a single point in Atlanta on Monday night, but prior to that game, Orlando had reeled off six straight wins, with many of them coming against tough opponents. The Magic won home games against the Clippers, Hawks, and Raptors (twice), then capped off the streak with a pair of victories in Boston.
Orlando is still just 11-21 on the season, but the team seems to be taking the sort of positive step forward that management wanted to see in 2022/23, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
“They have two of the premier positions in the league — play-making forwards — on rookie scale contracts, intriguing young talent around them on solid contracts, no bad money moving forward, and some veterans who could get them back even more draft capital should they choose to trade them,” an Eastern Conference team strategist told Fischer.
While the Magic haven’t been big spenders in free agency during their rebuilding process, league figures familiar with the club’s thinking tell Fischer that ownership will be prepared to open its check book when the time comes to invest in complementary pieces around those two young forwards, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
Here’s more on the Magic:
- Among potential Orlando trade chips this season, Mohamed Bamba may have the most value, according to Fischer, who says league sources believe the Magic will likely be seeking a first-round pick for Bamba and would settle for a protected or late first-rounder. Fischer notes that the Magic pursued Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this past summer, which is perhaps an indication that Bamba was a fallback option and isn’t in the team’s long-term plans.
- Although it’s unclear which teams might have interest in Bamba specifically, front office personnel expect teams like the Clippers, Lakers, Raptors, Kings, and Nets to explore the trade market for big men, Fischer writes.
- Veteran wings Terrence Ross and R.J. Hampton, both in contract years, are also considered potential trade candidates, as is Gary Harris, who has a non-guaranteed salary for 2023/24. However, their appeal will probably be limited, given their modest production relative to their respective cap hits. Ross has previously drawn interest from the Lakers and Knicks, and the Magic have sought a first-round pick for him in the past, but it’s hard to envision them getting more than a second-rounder if they move him, says Fischer.
- League personnel think there may be a “sizable gap” between Cole Anthony‘s asking price and what the Magic are willing to offer when the third-year guard becomes eligible for a rookie scale extension next offseason, per Fischer.
It’s time to start appreciating how good Markelle Fultz is at basketball.. Orlando is 6-5 with him. 5-16 without him.
Been a long road and I agree with you. He has been great for Orlando. They really need him healthy. PGs with size are so valuable.
Lakers should be interested in Bamba, Beverly and a first should be sufficient. Then they can trade Westbrook and a first to try and upgrade the backcourt and wings. Bamba gives them another 3pt shooter (just shy of 39% on roughly 3 attempts per game this year), a good defender, and a guy who can hold down Center if Davis is out or play alongside him with Davis playing his usual PF spot.
Puh-lease give us Beverley and a first for Bamba
Mo Bamba and RJ Hampton to Brooklyn for Seth Curry, Cam Thomas and a second round pick or two
Brooklyn as I’ve said would be a great spot for him. He’d be competing with Claxton for the starting spot and I think because of his upside he would win that. He can block shots, rebound, stretch the floor, he works really hard in trainings, he’s really smart and he’s still young.
He’d help Brooklyn and Curry/Thomas would help the Magic. I’m all for it. Hampton gives Brooklyn some extra depth to make up for losing two guard/wing players, and maybe Jacque Vaughn and crew can find something with him.
Crazy RJ Hampton is considered a “veteran wing” lol. He’s 21.
That’s the NBA these days. FWIW, I don’t know if he should really be called a veteran since he’s still on his rookie contract.
Bamba to dc