The Orlando Magic are on the rise. This is one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA. The Magic have been rebuilding for some time. Now, they look ready to launch themselves towards title contention.
It didn’t happen overnight. Magic fans endured years of mediocrity during the Nikola Vucevic era. Eventually, this front office recognized that what they were doing wasn’t working. Now, they’re in a much better situation.
The Portland Trail Blazers should pay attention. This team just began their rebuilding process after a similar stretch of mediocrity. At this point, they should be focused on collecting assets.
Could they send Anfernee Simons to the Magic?
NBA Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Wendell Carter Jr., G/F Gary Harris, 2024 First-Round Pick (ORL), 2026 First-Round Pick (ORL)
Orlando Magic Receive: G Anfernee Simons
Around the league, there’s something known as “the rebuilding cycle”. Every team is somewhere in that cycle. Even the league’s best teams will eventually fall apart and have to restart the cycle.
If a team is lucky, they’ll win a title at the cycle’s peak. With that said, luck isn’t the only factor. Teams need to make the right decisions along the way. They’ll accomplish their goals with sound management and a lot of luck.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
At times, the path ahead isn’t clear. Look at the Blazers. Simons is young enough that they could justify hanging onto him for the future. Should they send him to Orlando?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
This would not be a characteristic move for the Blazers. They don’t normally opt to trade good players unless they have to. Given Simons’ age, that wouldn’t be the case here. What are we thinking?
We’re thinking about the future. The Blazers are one of the worst teams in the NBA. Simons is young, but he’s not as young as Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe. There’s no urgent need to move Simons, but the Blazers could justify the decision as well.
At this price, it might be easy to justify. Carter Jr. is roughly the same age as Simons. Given Deandre Ayton’s underwhelming performance and Robert Williams III’s injury history, he could be their big man of the future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
Throw in a pair of first-rounders, and this deal may do too much for Portland’s future for them to decline. Should the Magic send them assets?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
The Blazers are in the infancy stages of their rebuild. By contrast, the Magic are ready to start competing. This team needs to ask themselves what type of players they’re missing. Then, they need to get those players.
Simons is exactly the type of player they should be looking for. The Magic need a guard with three-point gravity. Simons has a tremendous amount of that gravity, and he can create his own shot as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic Updates
The Magic shouldn’t balk at this price to land him. Goga Bitadze has been at least as impactful as Carter Jr. this year. More broadly, the Magic should be done adding young talent – they can part with this draft capital. After all, they’re already on the rise.
