Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal 

The Magic are in a very different situation compared to the Lakers. Primarily, they own their upcoming first-round pick. This team has an incentive to lose. 

That’s good because this deal won’t make them better. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t even play Beverley. For the Magic, this is all about that pick swap. 

It happens to be more valuable than an average swap. This Magic rebuild is on a good trajectory. Paolo Banchero looks like a star, Franz Wagner looks like a co-star, and who knows who they’ll select in what’s expected to be a historic draft class? 

By contrast, the Lakers are old. By 2027, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Magic were major title contenders, and the Lakers were bottom feeders.

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In that event, this swap would be especially meaningful. As long as everything is working on Orlando’s end, that is.