There’s no doubt that the 2022-2023 NBA Season has been quite unpredictable for the Orlando Magic. Through the first 25 games of the season, the Magic were just 5-20, and have had former first-round draft picks Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Gary Harris all miss considerable time to injury. Despite these early-season setbacks, Orlando won six-straight games and seven of the past eight games overall behind the star play of 2022 No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero and 2021-2022 All-Rookie First Team Nominee Franz Wagner. During the win streak, Orlando has also seen Bol Bol, Markelle Fultz, and Moritz Wagner all show signs of player development while vastly improving on offense and defense as a team.
“They have two of the premier positions in the league — playmaking forwards — on rookie-scale contracts (Wagner and Banchero), intriguing young talent around them on solid contracts, no bad money moving forward, and some veterans who could get them back even more draft capital should they choose to trade them,” one Eastern Conference team strategist said of the Magic.
In spite of their impressive early-season turnaround, Orlando is still just 13-23 overall and 13th in the Eastern Conference. In reference to this, Orlando is currently projected to have the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, along with Chicago’s top-four protected first-round pick, which is projected to be the No. 7 pick. With a plethora of young and improving talent on their roster, the Magic may decide to trade these four veterans for future assets before the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline on February 9th.
SG/SF Terrence Ross
After trading franchise cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline, many expected that Orlando would move Ross to his next team. As it turns out, Ross has remained in Orlando, even with the emergence of Carter Jr., F. Wagner, M. Wagner, Banchero, and Caleb Houstan in the frontcourt. With Guards Cole Anthony, Fultz, and Harris all missing considerable time to injury, Ross has provided a much-needed scoring boost off the bench. In 29 games (eight starts) this season, Ross is averaging 23.8 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, and 0.7 SPG. In addition to this, Ross is shooting 41.3% from the field, 36.6% from three-point range, and 73.3% from the free-throw line. Due to his score-first ability and veteran leadership, Ross has garnered plenty of interest from other teams.
“[Terrence] Ross has long garnered interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. New York was in pursuit of Ross in previous years, as well. Yet, while Orlando has rebuffed offers below a first-round pick for the veteran swingman in recent seasons, sources said, it’s difficult to foresee a playoff contender sacrificing more than a single second-round selection for Ross’ services.”
PF/C Mo Bamba
Following the end of the 2021-2022 season, it seemed as if Bamba’s tenure in Orlando was over, as the Magic didn’t extend the Qualifying Offer to Bamba. As it turns out, however, the Magic resigned Bamba to a two-year, $21 Million Contract once Free Agency began, keeping him in Orlando until the 2024 season. With this said, Bamba’s future in Orlando looks bleak once again following inconsistent play and a decrease in overall playing time. After averaging a career-high 25.7 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.7 BPG in 71 games (69 starts) last season, Bamba is averaging just 19.0 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 0.9 BPG in 26 games (five starts) this season. The decrease in Bamba’s overall production is largely attributed to Orlando’s crowded frontcourt, as Head Coach Jahmal Mosley has opted to start Carter Jr., Bol, and M. Wagner over Bamba in his lineups.
Before resigning Bamba in free agency, Orlando was rumored as the leading suitor for Unrestricted Free Agent Isaiah Hartenstein, who later signed with New York for a two-year, $16 million contract. Orlando’s aforementioned pursuit of Hartenstein may serve as an indication that Bamba was the Magic’s fallback option at Center, and may not be in their long-term plans after all. As it currently stands, the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors are all expected to explore the market for big men before the Febuaray 9th Trade Deadline. If Orlando decides to trade Bamba, they’ll likely seek a late or lottery-protected first-round pick in exchange, similar to that of Ross.
PG/SG R.J Hampton
Similar to Bamba, Hampton’s exit from Orlando seems to become more and more likely due to the past events surrounding the former No. 24 pick from the 2020 Draft. As stated by Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel, Hampton signed with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and is now represented by Agent Aaron Mintz, who also represents Ross and Harris. Hampton was previously with LIFT Sports Management, but left LIFT for the CAA after the Magic declined Hampton’s fourth-year team option on his rookie scale contract for the 2023-2024 season, making him an unrestricted free agent in the 2023 offseason.
Furthermore, Price reported that Hampton requested a temporary G League Assignment with Orlando’s Affiliate Team in Lakeland to receive more playing time. Hampton was granted the assignment, which is a big reason for why Hampton has played in just 21 games this season. So far this season, Hampton is averaging 15.6 MPG, 6.5 PPG, 1.6 RPG and 1.5 APG while shooting 43.8% from the field, .34.7% from three-point range, and 87.1% from the free-throw line. At just 21 years old, some teams in need of a developmental guard may be interested in Hampton, such as Charlotte, Detroit, or Houston.
PG/SG Gary Harris
Since being acquired via trade with the Denver Nuggets at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline, Harris has fit in nicely as a seasoned veteran amidst Orlando’s young roster. In his 81 career games with the Magic, Harris has averaged 10.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG while shooting 41.6% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range. Due to this, Orlando decided to resign Harris with a two-year, $26 Million Contract Extension during 2022 Free Agency, keeping him under team control until 2024. Since signing the aforementioned contract extension, Harris has struggled with multiple injuries, including a Torn Meniscus during offseason workouts that kept Harris sidelined for the Magic’s first 15 games of the season.
After making his season debut on November 18th versus Chicago, Harris posted a respectable statline of 25.8 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 0.7 SPG while shooting 47.9% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range in six games. Unfortunately, Harris suffered a Hamstring Injury on December 2nd, and has been inactive in Orlando’s last ten games. Based on Harris’ injury history, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Magic listen to offers ahead of the 2023 Trade Deadline. From a financial standpoint, Orlando should have no issues in moving on from Harris, as the second year of his contract extension is non-guaranteed, meaning Orlando could cut Harris without incurring a cap hit of $13.5 Million.