Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Terrence Ross, ORL 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #33)
Orlando Magic Receive: F Nassir Little, F Derrick Jones Jr.
This offseason, besides finding a new head coach, the Orlando Magic will be looking for ways to acquire future assets. They are in no situation to turn things around in a year or two, which is why the Magic will be more than willing to trade a veteran guy like Terrence Ross.
In this trade proposal with the Blazers, not only would they get a young wing in Nassir Little, but they would be getting an athletic 24-year-old forward in Derrick Jones Jr. Little was drafted by Portland in the first-round of the 2019 draft, but he has not really carved out a role in Portland’s system over the years.
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Maybe with a new head coach coming in, Little’s role will increase in his third year with Portland, but he is an athletic, talented young wing that Orlando would definitely be interested in, especially since he is on his rookie contract through the 2022-23 season.
Derrick Jones Jr. signed a two-year, $18.9M deal with Portland last offseason and he has a $9.72M player option for the 2021-22 season, meaning he would have to opt in before being traded, but given his minimal role with Portland this year, it is expected that he will opt into his contract in order to have financially security.
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Getting two young, athletic forwards could definitely prove to be of value to the Orlando Magic, especially since they will not have many options on the wing entering the offseason. R.J. Hampton is more of a ball-handling guard than a wing player and Dwayne Bacon is not as versatile in terms of being a guy that can get out and run the floor.
Both Nassir Little and Derrick Jones Jr. can not only run the floor, but they both can play well above-the-rim and also potentially be factors defensively given their length. Orlando wants young talent and the Blazers need more reliable offensive threats, which is why this is a trade that could peak the interest of both teams.
