Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[MasterGMer]

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

I thought Lakers are all in on Luka, the leading scorer of the league plus MVP candidate

I honestly do not see it. Luka is a generational player in my opinion

The key for Lakers is LeBron's contract. If he plays else where next season, they'd have a ton cap flexibility to add pieces. They are not going to pivot away from this path. BTW we might see a LeBron trade more than Luka.

[JRoy]

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

I thought Lakers are all in on Luka, the leading scorer of the league plus MVP candidate

I honestly do not see it. Luka is a generational player in my opinion

The key for Lakers is LeBron's contract. If he plays else where next season, they'd have a ton cap flexibility to add pieces. They are not going to pivot away from this path. BTW we might see a LeBron trade more than Luka.

Lebron has NTC as far as I know.

[MasterGMer]

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

I thought Lakers are all in on Luka, the leading scorer of the league plus MVP candidate

I honestly do not see it. Luka is a generational player in my opinion

The key for Lakers is LeBron's contract. If he plays else where next season, they'd have a ton cap flexibility to add pieces. They are not going to pivot away from this path. BTW we might see a LeBron trade more than Luka.

Lebron has NTC as far as I know.

BTW I am not saying we would trade for LeBron. The salary won't work and all these apron stuff.

But I am just saying that Luka isn't going anywhere. Why'd Lakers go away from their path of building it thru Luka? They are Top 4 in the Western Confefence now with a big 3 which includes AR

Rich Paul did say on his podcast last week that he doesn't see Lakers going to the Western Conference Finals.

But he admits LeBron will most likely stay with LA.

The biggest puzzle for LA is LeBron's contract. It is going away after this season. Then they will have the choices of eithe resigning AR to a max or add some pieces. LeBron is clearly not in LA''s Front Office's plan for the future, even next year

That is why LA will be interesting to follow. We will see how it pans out

[JRoy]

I thought Lakers are all in on Luka, the leading scorer of the league plus MVP candidate

I honestly do not see it. Luka is a generational player in my opinion

The key for Lakers is LeBron's contract. If he plays else where next season, they'd have a ton cap flexibility to add pieces. They are not going to pivot away from this path. BTW we might see a LeBron trade more than Luka.

Lebron has NTC as far as I know.

BTW I am not saying we would trade for LeBron. The salary won't work and all these apron stuff.

But I am just saying that Luka isn't going anywhere. Why'd Lakers go away from their path of building it thru Luka? They are Top 4 in the Western Confefence now with a big 3 which includes AR

Rich Paul did say on his podcast last week that he doesn't see Lakers going to the Western Conference Finals.

But he admits LeBron will most likely stay with LA.

The biggest puzzle for LA is LeBron's contract. It is going away after this season. Then they will have the choices of eithe resigning AR to a max or add some pieces. LeBron is clearly not in LA''s Front Office's plan for the future, even next year

That is why LA will be interesting to follow. We will see how it pans out

Yeah. You don’t move a guy like that if at all possible. You find pieces to put around a guy like that.

[eyriq]

I suspect we are currently micro-sellers looking to prioritize flexibility over talent. We are probably looking to trim an expendable expiring (or pseudo expiring) contract rather than consolidate further for a key rotation piece. Think Tyus or JI trade for cap relief.

We probably do nothing though.

[Idiosyncratic]

I suspect we are currently micro-sellers looking to prioritize flexibility over talent. We are probably looking to trim an expendable expiring (or pseudo expiring) contract rather than consolidate further for a key rotation piece. Think Tyus or JI trade for cap relief.

We probably do nothing though.

Bobby Marks said that he thinks we would look to move Tyus starting today to avoid the tax. Maybe Suggs injury could change that, but wouldn't surprise me. A lot of trades made are for the financial aspect even though it isn't sexy to discuss.

[eyriq]

I suspect we are currently micro-sellers looking to prioritize flexibility over talent. We are probably looking to trim an expendable expiring (or pseudo expiring) contract rather than consolidate further for a key rotation piece. Think Tyus or JI trade for cap relief.

We probably do nothing though.

Bobby Marks said that he thinks we would look to move Tyus starting today to avoid the tax. Maybe Suggs injury could change that, but wouldn't surprise me. A lot of trades made are for the financial aspect even though it isn't sexy to discuss.

Yeah, the apron rules have made this stuff weirdly nuanced.

On paper we’re win now, so you’d assume we’d be buyers. In practice we’re more like micro sellers, looking for immediate cap relief by trimming an expendable expiring contract like Tyus or maybe JI rather than consolidating for another rotation piece. We’ve already pushed chips in, and the remaining draft equity is precious, so the posture is hold rather than spend.

In a normal cap world, timeline direction would drive everything, buy versus sell, consolidate versus hold, flexibility versus talent. In the apron era those dials are decoupled, so you can be a contender and still be forced into small sell moves that are purely about staying maneuverable.

[Skybox]

ORL sends: Paolo, Tyus, Isaac, Jett

MEM sends: Jaren Jackson Jr, Cedric Coward, ORL 29 frp

This is screwy because I was trying to do a trade deadline deal in spite of the PPP on both guys, so I figured balancing with expirings would make it work...but I'm not sure it does. Perhaps have to wait until summer.

Summer version:

ORL sends Paolo (41.5m), Isaac (14.5)

MEM sends JJJ (49m), Coward (6m), ORL 29 frp

Why...FIT!

ORL now has plenty of firepower from the guard spots, especially if AB keeps trending upward and Jase is close to contributing. JJJ is an elite rim-protector and recent DPOY runner up at only 26 yo. He's a weak rebounder but can spread the floor as well as score in the post. Having him at PF would allow WCJ to really focus on rebounding (he can -and has- average over 10 rpg in the right lineup, w/someone else able to defend in the frontcourt). JJJ/WCJ would be a very physical, elite defensive pairing of bigs that would give ORL's elite POA defenders the security to be even more aggressive defensively. ORL would likely have a top 3 defense while, imo, still potentially fielding an elite offense. Bane and Franz would be the offensive engines with 3 other legit floor-spreaders in the starting 5. Coward is a much stronger version of TdS, who looks to be a solid rotation player already and a ready presence on both ends. Tremendous versatility, increased depth of upside young talent...and the return of a frp to be kept or traded in a package (Goga would be expendable, for example). ORL might even consider keeping Goga over WCJ...but I value WCJ's defensive versatility over Goga's rim protection...I just think WCJ is a much smarter player and worth the extension with the right role/pairing. Moving Paolo is a HUGE risk, but it does appear that ORL suddenly has too many hands who need the ball, not enough defense among the bigs, and a lack of strong bench forwards...this addresses all three and gets us back a pick and a prospect who is worth another frp, imo.

WCJ, Moe, Goga (JJJ)
JJJ, Moe, Coward
Franz, Coward, TdS
Suggs, Jase, TdS
Bane, AB, Jase

So much versatile size, defense, shooting, and depth that could be deployed in numerous big and small combos. JJJ is having a down year...but what's there to be excited about in MEM right now? Mose is a great defensive coach and handing him a great defensive rim-protector (who can switch) is a weapon he's never had to play with. Having a bunch of versatile wings that can defend up and down the lineup as well as shoot is a perfect complement. Paolo is an offensive machine, but this team may have more than enough firepower (with multiple guys capable of putting up big points on any given night and -at least- two that will average over 20ppg and 5+ assists) while significantly upgrading an already formidable defense by adding JJJ and Coward in place of Paolo.

Regardless of what MEM decides with Ja, they are clearly in a transitional period and moving off of a $50m+ defender with some holes in his game for a young bull like Paolo who could, conceivably, lead the league in scoring and put butts in the seats is an upgrade for a team starting over and looking for a foundational star to build around.

[Skybox]

Giannis is clearly the BEST player that may be available ...and, if we're even considering making Paolo available, we're in the mix for anybody. BUT...he might be an even worse fit than Paolo is alleged to be. Looking at what we have and what we lack...I'm liking the addition of a rim protector like JJJ, Clingan, Kessler, etc...JJJ is, by far, the best all-around player of those guys although the others are, potentially, elite offensive rebounders. But I believe WCJ could be an elite rebounder on both ends with a rim protector next to him - who (also ) can switch onto smaller players all over the court.

FIT is far more important than raw talent as we refine an already very talented team. Trading Paolo for a "lesser" player might also help us offload some dead salary weight and restock our pick stash a bit...without necessarily taking a step backwards in our win-now status.

[cedric76]

almost impossible for us to trade for Giannis this year, however it ll be a different story this summer when Paolo s contract kicks in

[zaymon]

I think swaping Giannis and Paolo makes sense for both sides.
We truly open contention window with top 5 player. I would expect our 3 point shooting to rise despite Giannis being a non shooter. We would also improve our defense by a lot.
I dont think Paolo is ready to contend. He doesnt know who he really is, he doesnt know how to play winning basketball.
With Bane in his prime, Franz winning titles on national stage and Suggs overexerting himself i dont think we should wait for Paolo to find himself.
I dont think we can trade for Giannis right now. Its an option for the summer.

[eyriq]

Suggs and TDS for Garland

[rcklsscognition]

Reports on ESPN that Toronto has called us for Goga. Gradey on the market, Black Dick in Orlando coming soon?

[pepe1991]

Reports on ESPN that Toronto has called us for Goga. Gradey on the market, Black Dick in Orlando coming soon?

I don't want to help Raptors solve their biggest issue- backup C

[MassimoPayne]

I like the JJJ idea but at this moment Paolo has more value

[VFX]

Suggs and TDS for Garland

Anthony Black for Christian Braun.

[eyriq]

Suggs and TDS for Garland

Anthony Black for Christian Braun.

Shots fired

[Skybox]

Suggs and TDS for Garland

Garland is a mess right now...his toe is a serious issue that won't go away.

I would have done this a year ago but now that we have Bane and Garland has really seemed to hit a wall in his (most recent) recovery...that's a quick NO...Suggs/Mitchell would be a fearsome duo that we'd be seeing way too often, IMO. Don't do anything to ease CLE's suffering - keep your foot on their throat.

[Skybox]

I like the JJJ idea but at this moment Paolo has more value

That's why I had them eating Isaac and sending us Coward and a frp along with the better-fitting player.

I have no illusions that Paolo won't be a force in the league for years...we need to make sure we get better if we ever do arrive at the decision that he and Franz aren't an ideal pairing. Paolo should have tremendous trade value, given his age and high profile as a big-game performer and elite scorer. His value as a building block for a rebuild is probably a lot higher than his value to ORL as a not-perfect fit...he's a monster, I don't question his value.

[basketballRob]

They probably won't make any trades. I'd like to trade Isaac for 2 players who total $15m.