When should an NBA team give up on a young player? It’s not an easy decision to make. When a team drafts a player, they’ve got expectations for them. When they draft a player in the lottery, that holds even more true.
Yet, at times, it’s necessary to give up on young players. If a player is on a negative trajectory, a team may opt to move them before they continue losing value. Moreover, if a team has a surplus of young players at the same position, they may realize that they’ve got a choice to make. Like it or not, sometimes, teams have to give up on young players.
Take Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic. He’s got potential, but his first two seasons in the NBA have been underwhelming. Meanwhile, the Magic are loaded up on similar playmaking guards with shooting limitations. Could they send Suggs to the San Antonio Spurs as a result?
The Trade Proposal
Orlando Magic Receive: F/C Zach Collins, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Jalen Suggs
With that said, every lottery pick is not created equally. Some have higher expectations around them than others. Whether fairly or not, some players come into the NBA with the world on their shoulders.
Very few have entered the league with as much pressure as Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs. He’s widely held to be a generational prospect. That’s a high bar. If Wembanyama is a mere All-Star, Spurs fans will be disappointed. He needs to be an MVP candidate – at a minimum.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Is that fair? Perhaps not. Yet, it’s reality. Wembanyama is one of the most unique athletes we’ve ever seen. We can’t help but anticipate him. Would this deal help the Spurs get his career off on the right foot?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
It depends on what the Spurs see in Suggs. Still, something tells us they might like him. After all, he feels like a Gregg Popovich type.
What does Suggs do? Well, he’s an excellent defender. Suggs can make defensive plays and lock down his assignment. He’s also a plus passer This is the type of player who’s thrived in Popovich systems in the past. We suspect Suggs would do well in San Antonio.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Meanwhile, the Spurs can probably afford to part with Collins. As a similarly slightly framed big man to Wembanyama, he may not be long for the Spurs anyway. Giving away a first-rounder stings for a rebuilding team, but the odds of that pick landing the Spurs a player with Suggs’ upside are low. Should the Magic really accept this pick for Suggs?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
When the Magic selected Anthony Black with the seventh pick in this most recent draft, we quickly thought of Suggs. This wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence. Black’s profile is very similar to Suggs’: he’s a guard with defensive value and outstanding passing. The difference is that Black is 6’7.
Still, his presence isn’t the only reason the Magic could trade Suggs. Markelle Fultz has started counting into form. Cole Anthony is a born scorer. The Magic have a logjam of point guards, and this deal helps clear it up.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Meanwhile, the Magic could find some use for Collins. They could use some spacing in their frontcourt. Still, they’re mostly flipping Suggs for an unprotected first here. The Magic are improving the fit of their young roster and picking up an asset in the process. Unfortunately, it also means giving up on Jalen Suggs.
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