The Orlando Magic could make themselves heard in the Damian Lillard trade sweepstakes, according to NBA insider Michael Grange of Sportsnet.
Lillard has requested a trade from the Portland Blazers and wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. However, the Blazers don’t have to send Lillard to the Heat since the All-Star doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers. He will make $46.6 million next season. The future Hall of Famer signed a two-year, $121.8 million extension with Portland in July 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Magic, who went 34-48 last season, could start Lillard, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. if Orlando’s front office figured out a way to acquire Lillard from Portland.
Everyone in the NBA would pay attention to how Lillard acts and plays with the Magic since he only wants to play for the Heat. Since he’s under contract, Lillard would have to show up to Orlando to avoid fines.
With the Lillard-to-Orlando rumors heating up, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Blazers and Magic:
The Deal: Orlando Magic trade Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick to Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
“Getting Lillard without losing Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. would make the Magic a blast right away,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “They could sneak into the legitimate contenders tier before Lillard’s contract expires in 2027. Portland would assuredly push for either Wagner or Banchero being in the deal, but it wouldn’t make much sense for Orlando at that point.”
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