Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[MasterGMer]

For all of the misguided Paolo hate...free him. Perhaps the biggest problem is that Franz was already here...I'll go with the concept that they're both great but have quite a bit of overlap/redundancies that make their pairing less than ideal. Personally, I don't think that's clear yet but it might be true. If Paolo went to a team at the bottom of the rebuild -without any skillset conflicts- they could methodically build AROUND Paolo rather than try to jam him into an existing talent pool....I think a Paolo-centric team could give him the best chance to get to All-NBA level rather than try to turn him into a "deferring cast member" that marginalizes his game. He really needs to get to 100% and put up some numbers given all of the heat he's taking right now for his inefficiency - it's a lot easier to defend him when he's putting up 30ppg, 8 rpg, and 5 apg...regardless of the impact on winning. IF Suggs and Franz (and, probably, another player to be named later) miss substantial time with their injuries, it's going to be "Paolo Time", like it or not. With Paolo's numbers and value up, his trade power could help solve multiple problems at once...depth, rim protection, balance, and 2nd Apron terror. Has to be a summer trade for Paolo's max to kick in...

ORL sends: 23yo Paolo Banchero ($41.5m), Jonathan Isaac ($14.5m)

POR sends: 21yo Donovan Clingan ($7.5m), 25yo Deni Avidja ($13.1m), Jerami Grant ($34.2m), 2027 frp (top 3 protected)

*I'm targeting a West team first because I DON'T want to see fully evolved Paolo 4+ times a year for the next decade. Looking for that bottomed-out team looking to make a big splash for a high-visibility young guy to build around. Paolo is also from the Pacific Northwest...POR is guard-heavy and maybe they'll bank on Hansen Yang being enough of a prospect to move off of Clingan so soon. For reference, Grant has a player option for $36.4m for 27-28, so he'll quickly be a large (tradable) expiring in a couple of years, when Deni and Clingan are looking for extensions...and, btw, he's still a formidable player who can play multiple spots and shoot 3's.

*I love Deni, but if POR just refused to include him, I'd consider Scoot and at least one more FRP...he and AB off the bench would be exciting.

ORL:
Clingan, WCJ, Moe, Goga (someone gets moved...I kind of like WCJ in a more versatile, bench role-so I'd look to sell off Goga)
Franz, WCJ, Grant, Penda
Deni, Grant, TdS
Suggs, AB
Bane, Jase

...some possible follow ups to re-balance a bit perhaps, but this is a strong complementary core group, with the potential for intelligent ball movement and better floor spacing...Clingan's elite rim protection and offensive rebounding are the things that drive the current NBA - Elite POA defenders can gamble even more on the perimeter and also outlet, knowing their bigs can defend, rebound, and outlet quickly.

No way Portland is going to do this deal

Deni Avidja alone in this deal would make it impossible for Portland. He is worth way more and they are playing him as the No.1 option. And he could be a boarderline All Star this season.

I can see them possibly parting ways with Clingan. And of course, they want to unload Jeremi Grant. But no, Portland won't do this deal.

[Skybox]

For all of the misguided Paolo hate...free him. Perhaps the biggest problem is that Franz was already here...I'll go with the concept that they're both great but have quite a bit of overlap/redundancies that make their pairing less than ideal. Personally, I don't think that's clear yet but it might be true. If Paolo went to a team at the bottom of the rebuild -without any skillset conflicts- they could methodically build AROUND Paolo rather than try to jam him into an existing talent pool....I think a Paolo-centric team could give him the best chance to get to All-NBA level rather than try to turn him into a "deferring cast member" that marginalizes his game. He really needs to get to 100% and put up some numbers given all of the heat he's taking right now for his inefficiency - it's a lot easier to defend him when he's putting up 30ppg, 8 rpg, and 5 apg...regardless of the impact on winning. IF Suggs and Franz (and, probably, another player to be named later) miss substantial time with their injuries, it's going to be "Paolo Time", like it or not. With Paolo's numbers and value up, his trade power could help solve multiple problems at once...depth, rim protection, balance, and 2nd Apron terror. Has to be a summer trade for Paolo's max to kick in...

ORL sends: 23yo Paolo Banchero ($41.5m), Jonathan Isaac ($14.5m)

POR sends: 21yo Donovan Clingan ($7.5m), 25yo Deni Avidja ($13.1m), Jerami Grant ($34.2m), 2027 frp (top 3 protected)

*I'm targeting a West team first because I DON'T want to see fully evolved Paolo 4+ times a year for the next decade. Looking for that bottomed-out team looking to make a big splash for a high-visibility young guy to build around. Paolo is also from the Pacific Northwest...POR is guard-heavy and maybe they'll bank on Hansen Yang being enough of a prospect to move off of Clingan so soon. For reference, Grant has a player option for $36.4m for 27-28, so he'll quickly be a large (tradable) expiring in a couple of years, when Deni and Clingan are looking for extensions...and, btw, he's still a formidable player who can play multiple spots and shoot 3's.

*I love Deni, but if POR just refused to include him, I'd consider Scoot and at least one more FRP...he and AB off the bench would be exciting.

ORL:
Clingan, WCJ, Moe, Goga (someone gets moved...I kind of like WCJ in a more versatile, bench role-so I'd look to sell off Goga)
Franz, WCJ, Grant, Penda
Deni, Grant, TdS
Suggs, AB
Bane, Jase

...some possible follow ups to re-balance a bit perhaps, but this is a strong complementary core group, with the potential for intelligent ball movement and better floor spacing...Clingan's elite rim protection and offensive rebounding are the things that drive the current NBA - Elite POA defenders can gamble even more on the perimeter and also outlet, knowing their bigs can defend, rebound, and outlet quickly.

No way Portland is going to do this deal

Deni Avidja alone in this deal would make it impossible for Portland. He is worth way more and they are playing him as the No.1 option. And he could be a boarderline All Star this season.

I can see them possibly parting ways with Clingan. And of course, they want to unload Jeremi Grant. But no, Portland won't do this deal.

As good as Deni seems to suddenly be...that's fine. I was actually pondering whether the Deni/Franz combo might have the same awkward redundancies as the Franz/Paolo combo is rumored to have - but without the overwhelming physicality and toughness that Paolo brings to bear. ORL might be better off with the second version...Clingan, Scoot, Grant, 2 frps...for the reasons I mentioned. Scoot and AB give Suggs a chance to rest and play less minutes. Scoot has had his struggles but, as a prospect, his upside is huge - fiercely competitive, freak athlete, PG skills - not a good shooter (yet?) but improving. He's younger than AB and we've been patient with him for longer...anyone remember the short but real debates about Scoot vs Wemby and the time they went head to head? He's not as good as we all hoped, but he's nowhere near bust-level and could be a steal - picked up at just the right time to watch him explode.

I'm not knocking Deni...he's really good. Just pointing out that he has taken a LEAP in the last two years after 4 years of relative mediocrity in WAS. I don't think he's in Paolo's class, despite the comparable numbers...and he's a little too similar to Franz. Awesome versatile, skilled player, still prone to be physically bullied when the going gets rough. Paolo's ability to rise when the going gets tough is easy to undervalue when we've all got our stat sheets and calculators out...we've SEEN Paolo just run through good defenses and get buckets.

I'll say again - it's the coach's job to integrate the skills and profiles of the best players on the team...our guys are still so young and so good already. Mosley HAS got to figure it out (or go down trying) and fans need to stop nitpicking guys with this degree of talent and physical gifts like they're just okay. All-Star subs are voted in by NBA coaches and insiders - that's where you see how guys are valued.

[Skybox]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

[Skybox]

OK, twist my arm, I'll go first...

ORL sends: Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Noah Penda

MIL sends: Giannis Ante...(you know who)

WCJ, Goga, Moe
Giannis, Moe
Franz, TdS
Suggs, Jase
Bane, AB

[Orlando Dawg]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

Most people want to throw in Isaac to balance the salaries but Isaac might even be cut from the team around the trade deadline to save money next year.
When Paulo is eligible to be traded for Giannis the Magic might throw in Anthony Black instead so Paulo can have a travel buddy and they don’t have to give Anthony Black Markelle Fultz style money

[VFX]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

The value only evens out if Orlando wins a championship in 1-2 seasons. After that window passes, Milwaukee clearly wins the trade. Unless multiple western conference teams get injured I don’t see this as a reality.

The other side of this that has been discussed ad nauseam is that Giannis changes nothing about how this team would operate. He’d be a more efficient older version of Paolo on less years for more money on the second highest usage in the league next to Luka Doncic.

I also have Orlando adding more in the trade for whatever reason. Not too much more, but the Bucks would need to blow up their team essentially with a Giannis departure.

Orlando would be competing with teams that can offer picks and better youth. So it’s a question that really should stopped being asked for a number of reasons. First being that Paolo will not be traded. Second that other teams could offer more. Third that Orlando isn’t a big market and Giannis has been in a small market his whole career and given a short list already of big markets.

[Orlando Dawg]

Giannis is an a-hole and can be a free agent in 2027 not 2026 so it’s unlikely

[MasterGMer]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

lol. You forgot about me. I was always advocating trading for Giannis

But to trade away Paolo for that? Idk, man

Also another thing has to be pointed out is Giannis does want to come to Orlando in order for that trade to happen. He is due for a super max at his next team. Yes, Jeff Weltman drafted Giannis. But will Giannis choose to come to Orlando? Because imo Giannis can dictate where he wants to go NOW

Now he wants to go to NYK. Would Orlando be his second option? Idk, man

IMO I think this is an opportunity if Orlando wants contention now. Because why? Trading for Giannis will shorten our contention window. But heck, will we even reach contention at all with our team if no significant moves are made? But imo this is an opportunity. Depending on the cost. IF Giannis becomes available and on the market, I think Orlando should, at least, make an offer for Giannis

[JRoy]

For all of the misguided Paolo hate...free him. Perhaps the biggest problem is that Franz was already here...I'll go with the concept that they're both great but have quite a bit of overlap/redundancies that make their pairing less than ideal. Personally, I don't think that's clear yet but it might be true. If Paolo went to a team at the bottom of the rebuild -without any skillset conflicts- they could methodically build AROUND Paolo rather than try to jam him into an existing talent pool....I think a Paolo-centric team could give him the best chance to get to All-NBA level rather than try to turn him into a "deferring cast member" that marginalizes his game. He really needs to get to 100% and put up some numbers given all of the heat he's taking right now for his inefficiency - it's a lot easier to defend him when he's putting up 30ppg, 8 rpg, and 5 apg...regardless of the impact on winning. IF Suggs and Franz (and, probably, another player to be named later) miss substantial time with their injuries, it's going to be "Paolo Time", like it or not. With Paolo's numbers and value up, his trade power could help solve multiple problems at once...depth, rim protection, balance, and 2nd Apron terror. Has to be a summer trade for Paolo's max to kick in...

ORL sends: 23yo Paolo Banchero ($41.5m), Jonathan Isaac ($14.5m)

POR sends: 21yo Donovan Clingan ($7.5m), 25yo Deni Avidja ($13.1m), Jerami Grant ($34.2m), 2027 frp (top 3 protected)

*I'm targeting a West team first because I DON'T want to see fully evolved Paolo 4+ times a year for the next decade. Looking for that bottomed-out team looking to make a big splash for a high-visibility young guy to build around. Paolo is also from the Pacific Northwest...POR is guard-heavy and maybe they'll bank on Hansen Yang being enough of a prospect to move off of Clingan so soon. For reference, Grant has a player option for $36.4m for 27-28, so he'll quickly be a large (tradable) expiring in a couple of years, when Deni and Clingan are looking for extensions...and, btw, he's still a formidable player who can play multiple spots and shoot 3's.

*I love Deni, but if POR just refused to include him, I'd consider Scoot and at least one more FRP...he and AB off the bench would be exciting.

ORL:
Clingan, WCJ, Moe, Goga (someone gets moved...I kind of like WCJ in a more versatile, bench role-so I'd look to sell off Goga)
Franz, WCJ, Grant, Penda
Deni, Grant, TdS
Suggs, AB
Bane, Jase

...some possible follow ups to re-balance a bit perhaps, but this is a strong complementary core group, with the potential for intelligent ball movement and better floor spacing...Clingan's elite rim protection and offensive rebounding are the things that drive the current NBA - Elite POA defenders can gamble even more on the perimeter and also outlet, knowing their bigs can defend, rebound, and outlet quickly.

No way Portland is going to do this deal

Deni Avidja alone in this deal would make it impossible for Portland. He is worth way more and they are playing him as the No.1 option. And he could be a boarderline All Star this season.

I can see them possibly parting ways with Clingan. And of course, they want to unload Jeremi Grant. But no, Portland won't do this deal.

Pass for POR.

Do not view Banchero as an authentic #1.

Prefer Deni alone to him; cheaper, equivalent offense and much better defense.

Not that Deni is a #1 either. He’s probably a solid #2 guy.

[Skybox]

Giannis is an a-hole and can be a free agent in 2027 not 2026 so it’s unlikely

yet another excellent, fact-based take to throw on the pile

[Skybox]

For all of the misguided Paolo hate...free him. Perhaps the biggest problem is that Franz was already here...I'll go with the concept that they're both great but have quite a bit of overlap/redundancies that make their pairing less than ideal. Personally, I don't think that's clear yet but it might be true. If Paolo went to a team at the bottom of the rebuild -without any skillset conflicts- they could methodically build AROUND Paolo rather than try to jam him into an existing talent pool....I think a Paolo-centric team could give him the best chance to get to All-NBA level rather than try to turn him into a "deferring cast member" that marginalizes his game. He really needs to get to 100% and put up some numbers given all of the heat he's taking right now for his inefficiency - it's a lot easier to defend him when he's putting up 30ppg, 8 rpg, and 5 apg...regardless of the impact on winning. IF Suggs and Franz (and, probably, another player to be named later) miss substantial time with their injuries, it's going to be "Paolo Time", like it or not. With Paolo's numbers and value up, his trade power could help solve multiple problems at once...depth, rim protection, balance, and 2nd Apron terror. Has to be a summer trade for Paolo's max to kick in...

ORL sends: 23yo Paolo Banchero ($41.5m), Jonathan Isaac ($14.5m)

POR sends: 21yo Donovan Clingan ($7.5m), 25yo Deni Avidja ($13.1m), Jerami Grant ($34.2m), 2027 frp (top 3 protected)

*I'm targeting a West team first because I DON'T want to see fully evolved Paolo 4+ times a year for the next decade. Looking for that bottomed-out team looking to make a big splash for a high-visibility young guy to build around. Paolo is also from the Pacific Northwest...POR is guard-heavy and maybe they'll bank on Hansen Yang being enough of a prospect to move off of Clingan so soon. For reference, Grant has a player option for $36.4m for 27-28, so he'll quickly be a large (tradable) expiring in a couple of years, when Deni and Clingan are looking for extensions...and, btw, he's still a formidable player who can play multiple spots and shoot 3's.

*I love Deni, but if POR just refused to include him, I'd consider Scoot and at least one more FRP...he and AB off the bench would be exciting.

ORL:
Clingan, WCJ, Moe, Goga (someone gets moved...I kind of like WCJ in a more versatile, bench role-so I'd look to sell off Goga)
Franz, WCJ, Grant, Penda
Deni, Grant, TdS
Suggs, AB
Bane, Jase

...some possible follow ups to re-balance a bit perhaps, but this is a strong complementary core group, with the potential for intelligent ball movement and better floor spacing...Clingan's elite rim protection and offensive rebounding are the things that drive the current NBA - Elite POA defenders can gamble even more on the perimeter and also outlet, knowing their bigs can defend, rebound, and outlet quickly.

No way Portland is going to do this deal

Deni Avidja alone in this deal would make it impossible for Portland. He is worth way more and they are playing him as the No.1 option. And he could be a boarderline All Star this season.

I can see them possibly parting ways with Clingan. And of course, they want to unload Jeremi Grant. But no, Portland won't do this deal.

Pass for POR.

Do not view Banchero as an authentic #1.

Prefer Deni alone to him; cheaper, equivalent offense and much better defense.

Not that Deni is a #1 either. He’s probably a solid #2 guy.

I knew this one would draw you out

Kessler or Clingan...either one for me

[Skybox]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

lol. You forgot about me. I was always advocating trading for Giannis

But to trade away Paolo for that? Idk, man

Also another thing has to be pointed out is Giannis does want to come to Orlando in order for that trade to happen. He is due for a super max at his next team. Yes, Jeff Weltman drafted Giannis. But will Giannis choose to come to Orlando? Because imo Giannis can dictate where he wants to go NOW

Now he wants to go to NYK. Would Orlando be his second option? Idk, man

IMO I think this is an opportunity if Orlando wants contention now. Because why? Trading for Giannis will shorten our contention window. But heck, will we even reach contention at all with our team if no significant moves are made? But imo this is an opportunity. Depending on the cost. IF Giannis becomes available and on the market, I think Orlando should, at least, make an offer for Giannis

I remember you wanting to trade for Giannis or AD, without actually sending them anyone...which hurts my head even more than the math

It'd really be contingent on ORL feeling that the Giannis/Franz thing would be better than the Franz/Paolo thing - which isn't really likely, imo...I still think they work it out. There are no beefs or disagreements (From any real sources)...I'm sure there's frustration from uber competitors that want to do their best in a new system that is taking time to digest, especially with people in and out of the lineup.

[JRoy]

No way Portland is going to do this deal

Deni Avidja alone in this deal would make it impossible for Portland. He is worth way more and they are playing him as the No.1 option. And he could be a boarderline All Star this season.

I can see them possibly parting ways with Clingan. And of course, they want to unload Jeremi Grant. But no, Portland won't do this deal.

Pass for POR.

Do not view Banchero as an authentic #1.

Prefer Deni alone to him; cheaper, equivalent offense and much better defense.

Not that Deni is a #1 either. He’s probably a solid #2 guy.

I knew this one would draw you out

Kessler or Clingan...either one for me

Either would be a great pick up for ORL.

ORL won’t want to pay the price to get Clingan. Maybe ORL could get Kessler but that seems unlikely.

[MasterGMer]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

lol. You forgot about me. I was always advocating trading for Giannis

But to trade away Paolo for that? Idk, man

Also another thing has to be pointed out is Giannis does want to come to Orlando in order for that trade to happen. He is due for a super max at his next team. Yes, Jeff Weltman drafted Giannis. But will Giannis choose to come to Orlando? Because imo Giannis can dictate where he wants to go NOW

Now he wants to go to NYK. Would Orlando be his second option? Idk, man

IMO I think this is an opportunity if Orlando wants contention now. Because why? Trading for Giannis will shorten our contention window. But heck, will we even reach contention at all with our team if no significant moves are made? But imo this is an opportunity. Depending on the cost. IF Giannis becomes available and on the market, I think Orlando should, at least, make an offer for Giannis

I remember you wanting to trade for Giannis or AD, without actually sending them anyone...which hurts my head even more than the math

It'd really be contingent on ORL feeling that the Giannis/Franz thing would be better than the Franz/Paolo thing - which isn't really likely, imo...I still think they work it out. There are no beefs or disagreements (From any real sources)...I'm sure there's frustration from uber competitors that want to do their best in a new system that is taking time to digest, especially with people in and out of the lineup.

So let me ask you a question: If you were Jeff Weltman, would you trade Paolo for Giannis or at least make an offer for that?

[Driguez]

If Giannis is good with being in Orlando then yes you trade Paolo for Giannis without any doubt. He would make us instant contenders and would be a better fit next to Franz and Bane.

[Skybox]

lol. You forgot about me. I was always advocating trading for Giannis

But to trade away Paolo for that? Idk, man

Also another thing has to be pointed out is Giannis does want to come to Orlando in order for that trade to happen. He is due for a super max at his next team. Yes, Jeff Weltman drafted Giannis. But will Giannis choose to come to Orlando? Because imo Giannis can dictate where he wants to go NOW

Now he wants to go to NYK. Would Orlando be his second option? Idk, man

IMO I think this is an opportunity if Orlando wants contention now. Because why? Trading for Giannis will shorten our contention window. But heck, will we even reach contention at all with our team if no significant moves are made? But imo this is an opportunity. Depending on the cost. IF Giannis becomes available and on the market, I think Orlando should, at least, make an offer for Giannis

I remember you wanting to trade for Giannis or AD, without actually sending them anyone...which hurts my head even more than the math

It'd really be contingent on ORL feeling that the Giannis/Franz thing would be better than the Franz/Paolo thing - which isn't really likely, imo...I still think they work it out. There are no beefs or disagreements (From any real sources)...I'm sure there's frustration from uber competitors that want to do their best in a new system that is taking time to digest, especially with people in and out of the lineup.

So let me ask you a question: If you were Jeff Weltman, would you trade Paolo for Giannis or at least make an offer for that?

Not today...but if there really was some kind of rift brewing and it was becoming evident that Paolo isn't willing to bend his game for the betterment of the team (like some are already suggesting-not me), then you'd be hard pressed to make a bigger, faster splash than Giannis. I believe Giannis for Paolo makes ORL a serious contender for the whole thing. OKC and DEN are not invincible...Giannis is an absolute monster with championship or bust mentality...injecting him into Bane, Suggs, and Franz (and the rest) would give a degree of belief that a younger (maybe even more skilled) Paolo just can't provide (YET).

Trading for Bane was a BIG move, trading for Giannis is a full-on commitment to a ring.

[Orlando Dawg]

Summer 2026:
Magic trade Paulo Banchero + Anthony Black
for
Lakers trade Luka Doncic

Magic:
Doncic
Bane or Suggs (whoever isn’t injured)
Franz Wagner
Mo Wagner
Wendell Carter Jr

Jase
Jett (or minute restricted Suggs)
DaSilva
Penda
Goga

[BadMofoPimp]

I wonder what the consensus trade would be for Paolo for Giannis...
-who would have to add and what?
-if they're blowing it up, could we have old man Portis too?
-does MIL feel the need to do it mid-season and start the rebuild or could they wait until summer? Is Giannis ok with that?
...I think ORL would have to wait in order to have Paolo's max kick in for salary balancing challenges
-Would Adam the Greek embrace it?
-Would Giannis in Paolo's place make ORL the instant favorite in the East? Would the offense look different or is Giannis just another "hog" to watch?
-Would ORL win one or more rings in the next few years? Would this be aided by vet min ring-chasers jumping on board?

FACTS:
Paolo is 23 years old and makes $41.5m next season, unless he explodes (and stays healthy) enough for a Supermax
Giannis is 31 years old and makes $58.5m next season

Paolo, Slim and Jett.

[JRoy]

Summer 2026:
Magic trade Paulo Banchero + Anthony Black
for
Lakers trade Luka Doncic

Magic:
Doncic
Bane or Suggs (whoever isn’t injured)
Franz Wagner
Mo Wagner
Wendell Carter Jr

Jase
Jett (or minute restricted Suggs)
DaSilva
Penda
Goga

No reason for LAL to consider that. Trading a top 5 player entering his prime for lesser players is an express lane to mediocrity unless franchise lucks into first overall pick despite the ofds.

[Orlando Dawg]

Summer 2026:
Magic trade Paulo Banchero + Anthony Black
for
Lakers trade Luka Doncic

Magic:
Doncic
Bane or Suggs (whoever isn’t injured)
Franz Wagner
Mo Wagner
Wendell Carter Jr

Jase
Jett (or minute restricted Suggs)
DaSilva
Penda
Goga

No reason for LAL to consider that. Trading a top 5 player entering his prime for lesser players is an express lane to mediocrity unless franchise lucks into first overall pick despite the ofds.

There is a reason Dallas traded Luka. The honeymoon might end.
If Banchero returns to form and the Lakers fizzle out,
a trade may be possible involving Banchero + Suggs for Doncic + filler