Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[Skybox]

Kessler is among the league leaders in offensive boards and a massive presence in the paint...he has averaged around 68% from the field since he's been in the league and he started taking 3's this season (which would just be gravy). Maybe a guy like this is the key to Mose re-working his switchy defense to allow for more freedom for perimeter guys to gamble and get easy buckets. WCJ is looking like a solid starter, but he'd be an amazing sub, perhaps next to Moe. Don't know if ORL has the chips to get it done, but I think HOU is showing the league what the near future looks like...offensive boards with enough ball pressure and length to limit the breakouts going the other way.

I really can't guess what Kessler's trade value is or his next salary...He's not a GREAT player and is very far from a complete player or All-Star, but he might just be the missing piece. He may not even be a more valuable player than WCJ or Suggs, all things considered, just a role player that can change the whole game plan. Goga could probably match his numbers, but nowhere near his impact.

Maybe if the package started with AB and UTA felt that AB would be the perfect complement to Keyonte...
Summer

ORL sends: Black, Isaac, 2032 frp (I think that's all we got?)
UTA send: Walker Kessler (re-upped SnT, $22m x 4yr)

Kessler is done for a season due shoulder surgery.

I know...I'm thinking summe, maybe even TD

[pepe1991]

Kessler is among the league leaders in offensive boards and a massive presence in the paint...he has averaged around 68% from the field since he's been in the league and he started taking 3's this season (which would just be gravy). Maybe a guy like this is the key to Mose re-working his switchy defense to allow for more freedom for perimeter guys to gamble and get easy buckets. WCJ is looking like a solid starter, but he'd be an amazing sub, perhaps next to Moe. Don't know if ORL has the chips to get it done, but I think HOU is showing the league what the near future looks like...offensive boards with enough ball pressure and length to limit the breakouts going the other way.

I really can't guess what Kessler's trade value is or his next salary...He's not a GREAT player and is very far from a complete player or All-Star, but he might just be the missing piece. He may not even be a more valuable player than WCJ or Suggs, all things considered, just a role player that can change the whole game plan. Goga could probably match his numbers, but nowhere near his impact.

Maybe if the package started with AB and UTA felt that AB would be the perfect complement to Keyonte...
Summer

ORL sends: Black, Isaac, 2032 frp (I think that's all we got?)
UTA send: Walker Kessler (re-upped SnT, $22m x 4yr)

Kessler is done for a season due shoulder surgery.

I know...I'm thinking summe, maybe even TD

Gafford is right there. But Dallas doesn't even have GM so who knows what's going on with them.

[Skybox]

Kessler is done for a season due shoulder surgery.

I know...I'm thinking summe, maybe even TD

Gafford is right there. But Dallas doesn't even have GM so who knows what's going on with them.

I like Gafford (and Claxton...) but I feel like Kessler is in a defensive category above, in terms of impact...closer to Gobert's...and those offensive boards - we learned about that last night.

[MasterGMer]

I don't think Kessler should be the answer for us. Why didn't Utah extend him while preserving the asset of him? Maybe they are not convinced that he could be their franchise center.

[DiplomaticMagic]

I think our center rotation is fine. We need another guard to replace Tyus if we're not going to play Jase.

[VFX]

I think our center rotation is fine. We need another guard to replace Tyus if we're not going to play Jase.

Tyus is here for one season before Jase starts getting minutes.

It's a total non-issue when Suggs and AB are healthy and playing minutes.

[JoshuaPotter]

I think our center rotation is fine. We need another guard to replace Tyus if we're not going to play Jase.

Tyus is here for one season before Jase starts getting minutes.

It's a total non-issue when Suggs and AB are healthy and playing minutes.

On the other hand, Isaac is washed, and when Mo comes back he can inject offense not defense.

WCJ / Goga don't do anything that shows on a stat sheet particularly well. Other then WCJ on / off numbers which tells me he is a "do the dirty work" that doesn't fill the stat sheet type.

But this also means we can look for another player who can shoot and get us some additional rim protection or i dunno, a rebounder? Is that possible?