NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Acquires Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine?
ORLANDO - Is now the time for the Orlando Magic to take a swing by making a trade for a proven player?
With the Chicago Bulls rumored to potentially be heading toward a fire sale, The Athletic listed the Magic as a potential trade partner and put together a package for All-Star guard Zach LaVine. In the proposed trade, Orlando would give up Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris, Jett Howard, Chuma Okeke and a first-round pick for LaVine.
The Athletic also noted that the Magic could include Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, or Markelle Fultz in the trade.
The trade for LaVine wouldn't just give Orlando a proven commodity, it'd address a huge need, which is its ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
"Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have been playing in a phone booth for large swaths of their young careers, with little space to operate and create shots," The Athletic writes. "Banchero’s power and balance make him a force, and Wagner is a terrific 6-foot-9 forward with an immense amount of skill and strong shooting ability."
Orlando got a glimpse of what LaVine is capable of shooting the ball when he made a game-tying 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the game on Wednesday in the Magic's 96-94 win over the Bulls at the United Center.
Paolo Banchero attempting to drive past Zach LaVine.
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
The Athletic also noted how Orlando's depth at guard could position itself defensively to make up for some of LaVine's shortcomings.
"The Magic are also one of the few teams that could insulate LaVine defensively with their other backcourt options," The Athletic writes. "Suggs has been one of the five best defensive guards I’ve seen in the league this season, Black is already quite good for a rookie on that end and Fultz is sharp with his length and overall intelligence. Orlando may not want to move Howard, but one could see him as expendable."
"This is the kind of trade that could shift the Magic from a Play-In team to a top-six seed, and they’d retain real upside with their remaining younger players and cap flexibility this summer," The Athletic writes.
Where Orlando could get hung up in this hypothetical potential trade is who they'll give up for LaVine. Isaac has been healthy (knock on wood) and back to being a force defensively. Trading your best defensive forward could be a case of addressing one hole but opening up another.
If LaVine is available for the right price, Orlando should do its due diligence. A deal for LaVine wouldn't just add a much-needed playmaker, it'd signal that the Magic are ready to go from a team vying for a playoff spot to one who is ready to join the Eastern Conference's elite.
