Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, and Kristaps Porzingis who has now been the subject of several trade talks.
Orlando opened up lines of communication to the League seeking counsel from the best GM's in the Association who graciously assisted with their perspective of possible team directions. In respect of said GM's, the sources of these
following quotes shall remain anonymous.
Magic GM WillyJakkz stated, "We are thoroughly grateful for the amount of input we received from those GM's and certainly will continue to assess our team dynamic keeping their counsel in mind."Anonymous GM 1:
I think a rebuild is the way to go with your team.
Anonymous GM 2:
Just catching up with the league media ... and saw you talked Zion with Andrew.
I personally would do a trade of Porki, Ball in a heart beat.
Anonymous GM 3:
...add a shotblocking 5 and you have a very good team with Ball and Morant as scorers, great defense on the wings and shotblocking to cover for Ball and Morant’s defensive woes.
Of course KP slots perfectly as the shotblocking big there, that’s why you don’t necessarily need to trade him.
Anonymous GM 4:
Trade KP now while he still carries value. With Morant/Ball/Kuminga, you're on a rebuilding window.
Anonymous GM 5:
If something in the transition to 22 turns KP into an MVP candidate, you might want to know that first. Never really know what's going to happen, especially with players that have some elite skills.
Anonymous GM 6:
I wouldn't rush into talking {trades for} kp.
"We also have a potential plethora of capspace going into next off-season and will look to prepare for that as well", added GM WillyJakkz.
C Joel Embiid as well as GF Andrew Wiggins are expiring after the end of the 2028 which means Orlando will have over $41M in salary coming off the books allowing them to make a run at the Top Players in the League should they become available.
One name in particular came up during the Front Office Free Agency meeting for this current year, Utah's Donovan Mitchell who is only 26 years old.
Mitchell, a former Magic player never quite found his stride here in his previous stint but now with a different cast he may be someone Orlando could make a play for should he exercise his Player Option to become an Unrestricted Free Agent.
G Donovan Mitchell
"It's a great fantasy at the moment to think about but I'm more concerned about the guys who are actually here now and preparing them", said Head Coach Nate McMillan.
So what's behind the Magic Eight Ball? We currently don't know but the Magic have their work cut out for them indeed!
Go Magic!
Magic Update:
Late this evening it has been confirmed the Magic have signed Free Agent F Robert Covington.
Covington enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career in Orlando averaging 14pts in the 2021 season followed by 7asts in the 2022 season.
"It's great to be back here seeing Joel and Andrew along with the young guys they drafted and hopefully with my experience I can help the new guys develop and contribute to creating a winning culture", said Covington.
Magic Update:
In the Final Day of Free Agency the Magic secured another former player who fit in very well with them in SG Wes Iwundu.
Iwundu is slated to see significant minutes at the SG position as Andrew Wiggins continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL during the 2027-2028 season.
Magic Update:
Heading into Training Camp the Orlando Magic needed to fill out their remaining roster spots and that's exactly what they did.
Orlando brought in PG TJ McConnell, SF Sam Dekker, PF OG Anunoby, and F Duncan Robinson to complete their 12 Man Roster. All of whom are expected to make nifty contributions to the team this upcoming season.
Also during Head Coach Nate McMillan's first Training Camp with the team he made it a priority to focus on offense, defense, as well as watching film to get the guys accustomed to a new way of preparation for the upcoming season.
"It was a great camp with the guys, I'm proud of what I'm seeing with the team and their effort and desire. From what I saw of Ja Morant he seems to have improved his Scoring and his Passing and I really really like what I have in LaMelo Ball. He and Ja got after it and I love to see that competitive spirit", said Coach McMillan.
"I like what I saw in our other rookie the Kuminga kid, very athletic and disruptive on defense", McMillan added.
While things are looking up for Orlando as the team goes on its break before the League Transition and preseason begins, Orlando has perhaps one more decision to make. What will they do with FC Kristaps Porzingis who has been in trade talks since the CSL Draft?
The Magic have also been contacted by Knicks GM who had scoffed at the idea of a Ball Porzingis for Zion Williamson move has now made an attempt to trade for LaMelo Ball.
Orlando quickly replied they were not interested however it remains to be seen what stance Orlando takes moving forward with Kristaps as the consensus has been to reach out, survey the market, then wait for the Preseason to make a move.
Going into the 2029 season Free Agency ideally would be a great move for Orlando as they also have expiring Pelicans C Mo Bamba as well as Pelicans PF Lauri Markkanen on their radar.
C Mo Bamba
PF Lauri Markkanen
We will soon see what Orlando has up its sleeve!
This will do it for the Orlando Off-Season Edition as we await the transition! Thank you for reading!
Go Magic!