The NBA season just started. So, it’s a little early to be thinking about next summer. At the same time, the league’s general managers already have it in mind. They need to make their plans years in advance.
The Toronto Raptors may have the busiest offseason in the league next year. Pascal Siakam is in a contract year. So is Gary Trent Jr. OG Anunoby has a player option, but in all likelihood, he’ll decline it and seek a long-term, lucrative deal elsewhere. Can the Raptors afford to keep them all?
Perhaps. Still, if they haven’t vastly improved this year, they may not want to commit so much to a mediocre roster. In that event, they could have a busy trade deadline this year as well.
Could they send Trent Jr. to the Orlando Magic?
NBA Trade Proposal — Orlando Magic Land Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors receive: F/C Jonathan Isaac, 2026 First Round Pick (Lottery Protected – ORL)
Orlando Magic receive: G/F Gary Trent Jr.
By contrast, the Magic won’t have any financial concerns for a while yet. That’s the luxury of having a young team. Most of their key players are on rookie deals, and it will be that way for some time.
Sure, the 2021 class will be eligible for extensions soon. That’s fine. Franz Wagner is a no-brainer: the Magic will give him as much as they can.
Jalen Suggs may give them some pause for thought, but this team has so much point guard depth that it won’t cause them a lot of stress. The Magic don’t have to worry about much at the moment.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic Updates
They do need to worry about winning games. Orlando looks primed to take a step forward this season. They’ve got a lot of talent, but they could use a boost in floor spacing. Is Trent Jr. the right player to give them that boost?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
Sure. This team’s backcourt rotation is interesting. Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, and Suggs are all talented. On the other hand, they’re all limited floor spacers. The Magic could use a more conventional off-guard to space the floor for their best players.
For a while, it seemed like Anthony would be the trade candidate. Now, we’re thinking differently – the Magic just extended him. Perhaps they’d like to keep all of their young playmakers and add a 3-and-D guard who ought to complement each of them.
That way, the Magic can experiment with each point guard alongside Trent Jr. and fairly determine which ones are keepers. So, that’s what we’ve got them doing.
Some Magic fans will be skeptical about parting with Isaac – to be sure, he looked phenomenal in their season opener. Still, Isaac remains one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic Updates
Meanwhile, the Magic have moved on. Unless they want to experiment with Isaac as a full-time 5, Wagner and Paolo Banchero are their wings of the future.
Should the Raptors take a flyer on Isaac?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
This acquisition is interesting from Toronto’s point of view. On the one hand, Isaac is exactly the type of player they’ve coveted. This team loves lengthy defensive wings. On the other hand, they’ve got enough of them.
That’s fine. Isaac’s contract will expire soon enough. If he’s not working out in Toronto, they can let him walk. Alternatively, if he is, it could give them more leeway to move either Siakam or Anunoby.
Either way, this deal allows them to avoid paying Trent Jr. They’re only receiving a lottery protected first in return, but for a player on an expiring deal, that’s fair value.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic Updates
The Magic will aspire to be out of the lottery by 2026 – this pick should convey. We’ll forgive fans if they’re not thinking that far ahead, but rest assured that the Raptors are.
