Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[OrlandoDream]

Actually we need to think about on one hand to increase the talent and sustain the current level, the other hand of how to cope with the 2nd Apron. Those two things should go hand in hand. We may even have the motivation to make a trade simply because of sustaining the cap. In my opinion, this is not merely waiving a player or let a expiring salary go. This could also be a major trade, even including our one of the core players.

How is that change going to go down? Idk. As of right now, there seems to be no context or substances. But in the future when opportunity comes, we need to have both motives

I think there’s a decision choke point coming once AB’s extension talks begin. An under–second-apron build doesn’t seem sustainable beyond that point. The core four are expensive but reasonably priced in isolation. The issue is additive cost. You simply can’t afford to stack another above–MLE-level contract on top of what’s already there, with WCJ already one and JI hovering just below.

To realistically stay under the second apron, one or more of Suggs, JI, WCJ, or AB will likely have to be moved for cap flexibility. In my view, Bane, Paolo, and Franz form the true foundation; everything else is fluid and potentially expendable.

I dont see Anthony Black here after next year. Someone is going to pay AB for his multi-positional defense alone. He will get a 20mil plus somewhere and that means, his days are numbered here. I argue we have core 4 (Paolo, Franz, Bane and Suggs). After the debut it should be evident how important Jalen Suggs is to this team.

Wendell Carter had a strong preseason and saved us game 1. We'll see how rest of the year goes for him but that 18mil kicks in next year and that becomes a hurdle unless he cements himself as a difficult-to-replace player. Also WCJr has an interest in the NBA. It would not surpise me to see WEltman pull a VUC on WCJr to shed salary and get a FRP back.

Starting next season JI, AB, and Jett will have a combined 30+mil salaries. That's a significant portion of our cap for non-starters with limited minutes and 10th man. I expect most if not all to be on the way out after this year. We will most likely go OKC route were we have to depend on our rookie contract players (Jase and Penda and future picks) for depth.

[fendilim]

Actually we need to think about on one hand to increase the talent and sustain the current level, the other hand of how to cope with the 2nd Apron. Those two things should go hand in hand. We may even have the motivation to make a trade simply because of sustaining the cap. In my opinion, this is not merely waiving a player or let a expiring salary go. This could also be a major trade, even including our one of the core players.

How is that change going to go down? Idk. As of right now, there seems to be no context or substances. But in the future when opportunity comes, we need to have both motives

I think there’s a decision choke point coming once AB’s extension talks begin. An under–second-apron build doesn’t seem sustainable beyond that point. The core four are expensive but reasonably priced in isolation. The issue is additive cost. You simply can’t afford to stack another above–MLE-level contract on top of what’s already there, with WCJ already one and JI hovering just below.

To realistically stay under the second apron, one or more of Suggs, JI, WCJ, or AB will likely have to be moved for cap flexibility. In my view, Bane, Paolo, and Franz form the true foundation; everything else is fluid and potentially expendable.

I dont see Anthony Black here after next year. Someone is going to pay AB for his multi-positional defense alone. He will get a 20mil plus somewhere and that means, his days are numbered here. I argue we have core 4 (Paolo, Franz, Bane and Suggs). After the debut it should be evident how important Jalen Suggs is to this team.

Wendell Carter had a strong preseason and saved us game 1. We'll see how rest of the year goes for him but that 18mil kicks in next year and that becomes a hurdle unless he cements himself as a difficult-to-replace player. Also WCJr has an interest in the NBA. It would not surpise me to see WEltman pull a VUC on WCJr to shed salary and get a FRP back.

Starting next season JI, AB, and Jett will have a combined 30+mil salaries. That's a significant portion of our cap for non-starters with limited minutes and 10th man. I expect most if not all to be on the way out after this year. We will most likely go OKC route were we have to depend on our rookie contract players (Jase and Penda and future picks) for depth.

I fully agree on this. Especially on AB. He is already auditioning for his next team, there is no way we can afford him on his extension AND there is no way he can replace Suggs. Suggs is the heart and soul of this team.

Wendell might be moved, we’ll see. If we can turn Wendell into picks, then Weltman deserves a raise. Lol. But a lot will depend on Goga and Moe coming back. I think having Bane on the floor will allow us to play Goga more with the starters. But what is hard to replace is WCJ’s switchability which Goga doesn’t bring to the table.

Ji and jett likely gone. But i feel like mgmt might look to consider retaining JI. He is basically our answer to the unicorns. And he brings another dimension to the defense. Jett is easily replaceable with minimum sharpshooters.

[eyriq]

Actually we need to think about on one hand to increase the talent and sustain the current level, the other hand of how to cope with the 2nd Apron. Those two things should go hand in hand. We may even have the motivation to make a trade simply because of sustaining the cap. In my opinion, this is not merely waiving a player or let a expiring salary go. This could also be a major trade, even including our one of the core players.

How is that change going to go down? Idk. As of right now, there seems to be no context or substances. But in the future when opportunity comes, we need to have both motives

I think there’s a decision choke point coming once AB’s extension talks begin. An under–second-apron build doesn’t seem sustainable beyond that point. The core four are expensive but reasonably priced in isolation. The issue is additive cost. You simply can’t afford to stack another above–MLE-level contract on top of what’s already there, with WCJ already one and JI hovering just below.

To realistically stay under the second apron, one or more of Suggs, JI, WCJ, or AB will likely have to be moved for cap flexibility. In my view, Bane, Paolo, and Franz form the true foundation; everything else is fluid and potentially expendable.

I dont see Anthony Black here after next year. Someone is going to pay AB for his multi-positional defense alone. He will get a 20mil plus somewhere and that means, his days are numbered here. I argue we have core 4 (Paolo, Franz, Bane and Suggs). After the debut it should be evident how important Jalen Suggs is to this team.

Wendell Carter had a strong preseason and saved us game 1. We'll see how rest of the year goes for him but that 18mil kicks in next year and that becomes a hurdle unless he cements himself as a difficult-to-replace player. Also WCJr has an interest in the NBA. It would not surpise me to see WEltman pull a VUC on WCJr to shed salary and get a FRP back.

Starting next season JI, AB, and Jett will have a combined 30+mil salaries. That's a significant portion of our cap for non-starters with limited minutes and 10th man. I expect most if not all to be on the way out after this year. We will most likely go OKC route were we have to depend on our rookie contract players (Jase and Penda and future picks) for depth.

This is a fair prediction.

I realized Suggs and AB were on a collision course last season. Suggs injury concerns and $30M AAV make him more expendable I think. AB has size, health, playmaking, rim pressure, development runway, and defensive versatility on his side which makes him a better fit long-term. We should also be able to re-sign him for ~$25M AAV vs Suggs $30M AAV, which is financially appealing.

I expect a Suggs trade.

[VFX]

I hope for a Suggs trade.

I fixed that for you.

ABias

[eyriq]

I hope for a Suggs trade.

I fixed that for you.

ABias

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

[VFX]

I hope for a Suggs trade.

I fixed that for you.

ABias

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

AB looks like a bust for a #6 pick and isnt worth 25m. We also drafted his replacement who can score and move the ball so we can avoid paying him.

Sounds good.

[eyriq]

I fixed that for you.

ABias

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

AB looks like a bust for a #6 pick and isnt worth 25m.

Read on Twitter

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[OrlandoDream]

I hope for a Suggs trade.

I fixed that for you.

ABias

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

[eyriq]

I fixed that for you.

ABias

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

[eyriq]

AB slaying fandoms favorites doesn't do him any favors but the writing is on the wall.

[OrlandoDream]

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

Yeah were just gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. Time will tell who stays on this team and my gut says Suggs all day. If Jalen suggs gives us 70-80% of what we saw in 23-24, thats prob our third best player and arguably second most impactful. Its a lot harder to find a Jalen Suggs then an Anthony Black. There is a reason one is a starter and the other a bench player.

[tooler]

Suggs will one day get traded just like Marcus Smart was.

AB will probably be long gone by then.

Anyone thinking AB will get paid $25M per year has not seen some of the recent extensions. There are far better players getting the same or less.

[BadMofoPimp]

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

I think AB was drafted more as a KCP replacement. But, I see him being a bench player as I do not see him in any way better than Suggs. Suggs is the man and will prove you wrong!!! His impact when in games is clearly evident. Haven't seen anything like that from AB, but a solid bench possible starter on another team.

[eyriq]

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

Yeah were just gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. Time will tell who stays on this team and my gut says Suggs all day. If Jalen suggs gives us 70-80% of what we saw in 23-24, thats prob our third best player and arguably second most impactful. Its a lot harder to find a Jalen Suggs then an Anthony Black. There is a reason one is a starter and the other a bench player.

I'll give you that one reason, "time in the league"

[eyriq]

Suggs will one day get traded just like Marcus Smart was.

AB will probably be long gone by then.

Anyone thinking AB will get paid $25M per year has not seen some of the recent extensions. There are far better players getting the same or less.

Dyson $25M AAV
Braun $25M AAV
Camara $20.5 AAV

Quite aware of recent market trends

[BadMofoPimp]

Sounds like AB will be future trade bait come extension time. By then, the Magic can get their Sheeed.

[GelbeWand09]

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

AB offers not more playmaking. He is a non existent playmaker in a halfcourt setting. He offers only better rim pressure in the open court & scrumbled defenses. Suggs is the better driver vs set defences, because he is more explosive. Suggs at his best is a high volume 3 Point shooter on good %. AB is a low volume 3point shooter with less range (Suggs can hit 3's far behind the 3point line / AB is a corner ''specialist'') and no gravity as a shooter at all.
You maybe trade Suggs in the future if he cant stay healthy but not because AB does anything better than him.

[tooler]

Suggs will one day get traded just like Marcus Smart was.

AB will probably be long gone by then.

Anyone thinking AB will get paid $25M per year has not seen some of the recent extensions. There are far better players getting the same or less.

Dyson $25M AAV
Braun $25M AAV
Camara $20.5 AAV

Quite aware of recent market trends

Here's a comparison of year 2 of AB (and Camara since he's at the same point) with year 3 of Braun and Dyson to give an idea of the level he needs to hit this season to get a similar extension.



Long way to go. I wish him good luck. That would mean two strong seasons still on the rookie scale.

[fendilim]

Suggs is overpaid and injury prone, maybe we can't even trade him. Good call.

Your on the minority with Suggs over AB. AB going into year 3 and looks like nothing more then a 3D complementary player. Yes Suggs has injury concerns but that 30mil per is not bad considering his impact and all NBA level defense.

Anthony Black prob is gonna get 24-26mil per year. That is not far from Suggs and with his lack of ability to create or provide any meaningful offense, Suggs is more valuable then AB.

Id package combo if not all AB, JI, Jett for bench scorer and/or FRP.

Yeah, I'm in the minority on AB. It is what it is.

Suggs had a great season in a contract year and has been injured in the rest. He gets a great grade regardless of his injury history, by me and everyone else. Terrific prospect coming out of college and when the scoring guard build flamed out he remade himself into an all-around guard and there is very little doubt about his effectiveness in this role.

What people don't appreciate is that AB is a very similar player with several advantages. AB is bigger, the better playmaker, applies more rim pressure, is more versatile on defense, and is right on target as a shooter. He doesn't have Suggs assertiveness on offense but we don't need that, see the Desmond Bane trade.

We drafted AB as the Suggs replacement. Fultz was replaced, next comes Suggs.

Jase is the Cole replacement, he's a certified stone cold elite scoring guard. Zero overlap with AB.

True, but this case is more similar to Vuc and Bamba. We drafted AB to be Suggs replacement, but it only motivated Suggs to improve his game further.

Suggs fit more with Paolo and Franz because he has shown progress on being able to spread the floor.

Suggs’ motor surpasses AB’s size and length advantage.

Suggs is the heart and soul of this team, Weltman will be damned if he chooses AB vs Suggs, IMO.

I’d love to see us retain AB, but I don’t see it as a realistic scenario.

[eyriq]

Suggs will one day get traded just like Marcus Smart was.

AB will probably be long gone by then.

Anyone thinking AB will get paid $25M per year has not seen some of the recent extensions. There are far better players getting the same or less.

Dyson $25M AAV
Braun $25M AAV
Camara $20.5 AAV

Quite aware of recent market trends

Here's a comparison of year 2 of AB (and Camara since he's at the same point) with year 3 of Braun and Dyson to give an idea of the level he needs to hit this season to get a similar extension.



Long way to go. I wish him good luck. That would mean two strong seasons still on the rookie scale.

Keeping experience/age constant AB will very likely match their year 3 stats. Not nearly the gap you make it out to be. The main differentiator will be mpg.