Jayson Tatum putting in off season work in his new kicks

2 potential Magic trade candidates entering 2023-24 NBA training camp

Despite the fact that the Magic have finished in the Eastern Conference’s bottom three in each of the last three seasons and have only made the playoffs twice since 2012, there is much to be hopeful about in Orlando. Franz Wagner and Rookie of the Year candidate Paolo Banchero anchor one of the best young wing tandems in the league, Wendell Carter Jr looms as a long-term starting center option, and there is a surplus of talented guards from which to select.

The Magic are most likely to acquire players from that group of guards in a trade, despite the fact that no one in that group has yet to establish himself as a starting backcourt player. There are at least five young players vying for two starting point guard spots, and since their two starting frontcourt players can also handle the ball, along with the new two-year addition Joe Ingles, the team may decide to make some moves in the backcourt.

Cole Anthony’s departure has become increasingly imminent in recent weeks, which would provide the Magic with needed depth in the backcourt. Anthony, the Magic’s 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, has shown promise in his three years there, but he has primarily served as a bench player (starting in only four games last season), and the team recently added another guard (Anthony Black, the 6th overall pick in the 2023 draft) to the mix.

Already he was fighting with Jalen Suggs for playing time off the bench and trailing Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris for a starting slot. With Black in the mix, Orlando may be wasting Cole Anthony’s tremendous skill.

And it hasn’t been lost on anyone in the buildup to the season. Anthony’s name has recently surfaced in trade speculations, and it stands to reason that many clubs would be interested in acquiring a previous lottery pick with as much scoring potential as Anthony. He isn’t perfect, but with the appropriate support, Orlando may be missing out on his potential as an NBA contributor.