The Magic are interested in Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell, league sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Russell holds a player option for 2024/25 worth $18.7MM, but could become an unrestricted free agent if he decides to turn down that option.
Orlando has previously been cited as a potential suitor for Russell. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported nearly two months ago that, based on conversations he’d had with people inside and outside of the Lakers organization, the Magic were viewed as the biggest threat to poach Russell from Los Angeles in free agency.
While the Magic made significant strides this season, earning a playoff spot and pushing Cleveland to seven games in the first round, they could still use more scoring punch and shooting in their backcourt. Out of 30 NBA teams, Orlando ranked 28th in assists (24.7) and dead-last in made three-pointers (11.0) per game during the 2023/24 season.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Already missing Kristaps Porzingis (calf strain), the Celtics will be without another frontcourt player when the Eastern Conference finals tip off on Tuesday. Xavier Tillman has been downgraded from questionable to out for personal reasons, the team announced today (via Twitter). With Porzingis and Tillman unavailable, Al Horford and Luke Kornet figure to handle center duties in Game 1.
- With the help of cap expert John Hollinger, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic outlines three potential paths the Pistons could take this offseason. Edwards’ scenarios include a “swing for the fences” three-team trade for Brandon Ingram and Jerami Grant, an all-in approach to free agency focusing on Malik Monk and Tobias Harris, and a combination of signings and trades.
- With the Knicks‘ offseason underway, Steve Popper of Newsday and Stefan Bondy of The New York Post each pose some pressing questions that the team will need to answer this summer. Exploring OG Anunoby‘s upcoming free agency, Bondy says that people around the league expect the three-and-D standout to receive between $30-40MM per year on his next contract.
Pistons are hopeless while Gores owns this team. He needs to realize he’s in over his head, sell the team and walk away with his billions. Or maybe he can trade the Pistons to Gilbert for the Cavs or to Ishbia for the Suns. Once can dream can’t he?
Gores is pulling a Major League. He ripped down a perfectly good Palace of Auburn Hills to move his team downtown to play in a hockey arena. Now he has no basketball arena for his team and will use that to get to Vegas. He may be from Michigan but he lives in Beverly Hills year round and runs a multi billion dollar private equity. He has no interest in his home state and does not care what will do to the fans of this historic NBA franchise.
Makes sense. I mean, when you already have Fultz, Suggs and Anthony at point guard, why not adding another one?
And Klay
Fultz is a Fa
Anthony /Suggs can’t shoot
DLo doesn’t show up many times.
Fultz is gone thankfully. Cole is better off the bench/6th man. Black needs a ton of development.
Agreed. They need to stop rotating and stick with a PG while the others play BU. Move one. Adding DLo only blurs the situation and he’s not the impact player to make a difference.
mediocre magic always thinking too small — now if they took a run at Donovan Mitchell, that would be something to elevate that team
how do they make that happen? by working their magic!
Orlando will just wait until D’lo is a free agent.
It’s actually smart from Orlando.
They had a good little season and even made the playoffs which really gives you a chance to see what you need to add in order to be better.
It was clear they need to add some better three point shooting, and that’s exactly why they are likely keeping tabs on Dlo. Last week it was Klay Thompson and I’m sure there’s more names they are looking at.
Shows Orlando has the right people in the front office making the right decisions. Cause in the past they’ve done some weird stuff, such as adding pint guard on top of point guard on top of point guard (Fultz, Cole, Suggs and Black).
Suggs is really a combo guard, Cole really suits that sixth man role, Black is more of a developmental piece and Fultz is off contract so adding another point guard again isn’t a horrible idea.
Gary Trent Jr is another guy I’d keep my eyes on for them. Apparently he and the raptors are along way off in negotiations. Hes still only 25 although has a good amount of experience. Good size at 6’5 and a career 39% from 3. Although poor defensively he’s actually sneaky good at getting steals (9th in 2023 and 4th in 2022).
D-Lo ain’t really going to help thr Magic…
They have a good 6th man option in Anthony… They need a starting PG…
Orlando DeAngelo is exactly whom I was thinking of for you. He is a good iso player when asked to be so. The Wolves used him in that way and he did well with it.
The Lakers only used him like that when they needed a hero baller to step on demand. Not possible in that way. Kuzma had the same problem.
His other intangibles make ideal for you.
I think most definitely DLO can help Orlando offensive alot, but all will depend on what kind of contract Orlando FO are willing to offer him, I’m thinking something like 3 years/50 millions with the last year team option.