How This Trade Impacts Orlando Magic
The Toronto Raptors shook up the 2021 NBA Draft when they selected Scottie Barnes out of Florida State with the fourth overall pick. That left Jalen Suggs on the board, whom the Orlando Magic snatched up with the No. 5 overall pick.
The addition of Suggs creates quite a logjam in the Magic backcourt. The team selected point guard Cole Anthony No. 15 overall last season and acquired RJ Hampton, the No. 24 overall pick, in the package from the Denver Nuggets in the Aaron Gordon trade.
Veteran Michael Carter-Williams is still on the roster as well, in addition to Markelle Fultz. Orlando could look to add another veteran to the mix by swapping Fultz for Eric Bledsoe.
Bledsoe is a 33.7 percent shooter from the 3-point line in his career, which isn’t that strong. But, would represent an upgrade for a Magic backcourt that has virtually no spacing. Fultz is a 26.5 percent shooter himself from deep.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Latest Intel Surrounding Ben Simmons Amid NBA Trade Rumors
Financially, this is also a deal that makes sense for the Orlando Magic. Some of their younger players will be coming up for contract extensions soon. Bledsoe’s deal only runs for the next two seasons, while Fultz is on the books for the next three.
That reduction in future salary cap will help Orlando keep their books open and retain their young players that show they are worthy of being part of the team’s foundation going forward.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Latest Intel Surrounding Ben Simmons Amid NBA Trade Rumors
The 48 games that Bledsoe has played in the postseason would also be the most on the team. For a young team looking to take some steps forward, it never hurts adding more veteran leadership.
