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Luka Doncic Trade Rumors: Magic Blockbuster Deal for Mavs Superstar?
Luka Doncic expressed frustration as the Dallas Mavericks' season ended earlier than expected. Speculations have arose that Dallas could trade the All-Star point guard this summer if he requests a move. Could the Orlando Magic make a power play for him?
"At least the Magic — with their own young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, tons of draft capital and a respected coach in Jamahl Mosley whom Doncic absolutely loves — are a player in a potential blockbuster trade or a possible destination spot for bigtime free agents," Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel wrote.
Doncic is under contract through 2026-27. He will be earning $40 million dollars next season and will see well over $2 million more each year that follows.
Taking on Doncic's contract would be the least of Orlando's worries. However, what the Magic would have to give up in return would be the million dollar question.
Any trade for Doncic would likely include Wagner or Banchero, and according to his MVP-caliber value ought to include both and more.
The Magic has spent the entirety of 2022-23 developing their young core. It's not every day that a team gets the chance to acquire a generational talent, but could they already have one (or more) on their roster?
Acquiring Doncic would send away much of the supplementary help he'd need to get Orlando back into championship contention once more, no matter which combination of Magic players are dealt.
Also, Doncic thrives in the pick-and-roll with capable shooters to kick to. Of all Orlando's current players that played in at least half of their regular season games, only Wagner, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris shot 36 percent or better from deep.
In the same way Dallas capitalized off of signing Kyrie Irving is the same way that Orlando would likely give up the farm to acquire Doncic. In that event, much more work would have to be done in the free agent and trade markets to fill in the gaps.
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