The Orlando Magic are a team on the rise. The rest of the NBA is on notice. The Magic aren’t plucky young up-and-comers; they’re ready to make noise.
This team has their eye on a deep playoff run in the 2023-24 season. It didn’t happen overnight. Orlando has done a marvelous job of rebuilding their roster.
After years of missing out on the postseason, they’ve accumulated an excellent collection of young talent. The Magic are a model for any NBA franchise looking to rebuild.
For example, take the Portland Trail Blazers. This team is in year one of their rebuilding process. They should take some notes from Orlando.
Could they start by sending them Malcolm Brogdon?
NBA Trade Proposal: Orlando Magic Land Portland Trail Blazers’ Malcolm Brogdon
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Gary Harris, G/F Joe Ingles, 2025 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – ORL)
Orlando Magic Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
With that said, these teams took very different paths to get to where they currently are. For a long time, the Blazers had a viable franchise player.
They resisted the urge to rebuild because they rostered Damian Lillard. Who could blame them? By contrast, the Magic haven’t had such a player in some time.
Nikola Vucevic is quite talented, but he was never a North Star. The Magic endured a long period where they didn’t have a player who was sniffing All-NBA conversations.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
That period looks to be over. Paolo Banchero should be in the running for those awards soon, and Franz Wagner could join him.
There’s a lot to be excited about in Orlando. Would acquiring Brogdon make them more exciting?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
The Magic have a lot of guards. We understand that. Between Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, and Markelle Fultz, one could argue that they don’t have room for Brogdon. We disagree.
Fultz is continuously hurt. Black is a point guard with a poor shot. So is Suggs. Anthony is an off-guard in a point guard’s body. The Magic may have a surplus of guards, but none of them are floor generals who can also space the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
Brogdon fits that description. Orlando can figure out how this changes their rotation later. The bottom line is that they need a player like Brogdon.
Should the Blazers give him up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Orlando Magic are on the rise. That means that they should be avoiding the lottery for years to come. That’s key for the Blazers here. This pick is likely to convey.
Meanwhile, a late first-round pick for Brogdon is a fair return. As talented as he is, he’s quite injury-prone, and he’s aging. Realistically, his outgoing price could even be a collection of second-rounders. If this deal is on the table, the Blazers should take it.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
After all, they’re also bringing two expiring contracts back. Ingles has a team option next summer. The Blazers pick up an asset here while also gaining some financial flexibility. Hopefully, that puts them on an upward trajectory.
