Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal

Of course, the Magic are still close enough to the bottom of the standings to justify staying there. If they wanted to spend another season maximizing their draft capital, we wouldn’t hold it against them. 

On the other hand, there is a lot of talent here. Realistically, this deal boils down to how much faith the Magic have in it. If they think they’ve secured their future core, making a win-now trade could be a smart decision. 

After all, for all the incentives there are to tank, there is an inherent value in winning. Getting young players like Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Wendell Carter Jr. to feel some pride when they put on a Magic jersey would be ideal.

Hopefully, it’ll inspire them to stick around Disney past their rookie contracts. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns & Orlando Magic Updates

Paul ought to help with that. He’s been a stabilizing force wherever he’s gone in the NBA. Playing with the future Hall-of-Famer would be a learning experience for the Magic’s young team. 

In fact, it could be one that leads to some rapid progress for them.