When you picture a young NBA team, what do you picture? In all likelihood, you picture a high-octane, run-and-gun offense. They make many mistakes, but they can put up points, and they’re entertaining. You’re probably also assuming that they can’t defend.
Well, you’re not picturing the 2023-24 Orlando Magic very accurately. This team is locking opponents down on the defensive end. With a unique blend of size, length, and athleticism, Orlando has built a team with elite stopping power. Scoring on the Magic has become a chore.
On the other hand, Orlando isn’t putting very many points up. This team could use a boost on the offensive end of the floor.
Could they trade for an offensively-minded star player? How about Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal — Orlando Magic Land Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Jonathan Isaac, G Markelle Fultz, G/F Joe Ingles, 2024 First-Round PIck (ORL), 2026 First-Round Pick (ORL)
Orlando Magic Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
This wouldn’t be the first major trade between these two organizations. At one time, Nikola Vucevic was the most talented player on the Magic. That wasn’t getting them very far. As a result, the Magic sent him to the Bulls.
At the time, it felt like a win/win deal. Vucevic wasn’t able to carry Orlando to a deep playoff run, but he was expected to thrive alongside LaVine in Chicago.
Meanwhile, the Bulls got the talented young Wendell Carter Jr. and some draft capital. By now, it feels likely that the Bulls are regretting this deal. They missed the playoffs last year, and Jett Howard is a member of the Magic as a result.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
So it goes. Hindsight is 20/20. The Magic were wise to rebuild a mediocre team, and now, the Bulls ought to consider the same course of action. Is this a fair return for LaVine?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls may not love the offers that they get for LaVine. He looks like a somewhat one dimensional scorer at this point in his career. Moreover, it’s become obvious that he can’t lead a team on a deep title run. This is roughly his market value.
That’s not so bad. The Bulls could use a point guard, and Fultz is still young enough to be part of a rebuild. Meanwhile, Isaac is extremely injury-prone, but he has flashed the upside that we’ve seen in the past in 2023-24.
If he can’t stay on the floor, the Bulls could let him walk in free agency this summer and clear up some cap space. Still, the most important part of this deal for the Bulls is a pair of first-round picks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
If they can make Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan in separate deals, they could tank and completely rebuild this roster. At this point, that feels like their best course of action.
Should the Magic help facilitate their rebuild?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
Paolo Banchero is having a sophomore slump to begin 2023-24. The Magic shouldn’t panic. This team should be willing to invest in the franchise player potential that Banchero flashed as a rookie. Besides, Franz Wagner is looking like a future superstar in his own right.
In other words, the Magic have their young core established. With Banchero and Wagner in the fold, they could justify making a win-now trade in pursuit of a playoff berth.
If they’re going to do that, they should make a move for a guard who can space the floor and create offense in half-court sets. That’s LaVine, to a tee. This is precisely the type of player that Orlando needs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
They shouldn’t worry about sending out these draft picks – if these pieces click, they’ll land outside of the lottery. After all, this isn’t your typical young team.
