How This Trade Impacts Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are in the early stages of a rebuild, so they normally wouldn’t have interest in a player such as Russell Westbrook. However, if they can coax some draft capital out of the Lakers, it would be worthwhile for them to get in on a deal.
For taking on Westbrook, the Magic should hold out for at least one first-round pick. But, they are giving away some value to match salary, so they should ask for at least one first-round pick, if not multiple second-round picks, in return as well.
Terrence Ross is certainly not in the team’s long-term plans, so including him to match salary is an easy decision. Markelle Fultz is a logical trade candidate given the other options Orlando has added to the backcourt.
While Orlando could want to retain him long-term, they may value the two future first-round picks as better assets, especially since they have Wendell Carter Jr. holding down the middle already.
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The Magic likely don’t have a need for Westbrook, so they could hold onto him and see if another team is willing to make a trade for him on an expiring deal. If not, they could always work out a buyout with Westbrook and allow him to pick a new team to play with.
