NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic could move RJ Hampton at deadline
NBA Trade Rumors: The Orlando Magic could end up moving RJ Hampton at the NBA Trade Deadline.
At 11-21, it would not be a surprise if the Orlando Magic elected to be a seller at the NBA Trade Deadline. They have a solid young core and Paolo Banchero, specifically, looks like a player that the team will be able to build around for years to come.
However, there are a handful of players on their roster that are either veterans that don’t fit in the team’s current timeline or players that are no longer viewed as part of the team’s long-term plans. And those are some of the players that the Magic could end up moving at the deadline.
According to one report, RJ Hampton happens to be among those players. Hampton, who was drafted in 2020, is just 21 years old but is a player that has seen his role with the Magic dwindle over the last couple of seasons. He was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Magic as part of the Aaron Gordon deal during the 2022-21 NBA season, and it looks like he could be on the move again.
RJ Hampton may no longer be viewed as part of the team’s future
Hampton is just 21 years old but with the team’s crowded backcourt, it seems like he has fallen out of grace (and the rotation). This season, Hampton is averaging seven points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. He’s only averaging 15 minutes per contest, however.
Even though it may not have worked in Orlando, Hampton is certainly a talented player that another team could insert into their developmental system. He would be worth a flier for many rebuilding teams and it will be interesting to see what the asking price would be at the trade deadline.
Hampton has a team option for next season and then could be a restricted free agent the following season. Even though one season (or a season and a half) may not be enough to gauge the future for Hampton, any team that acquires him at the deadline will have plenty of power over his contract over the next couple of seasons.
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The worst-case scenario is that he hits the restricted free-agent market in a couple of seasons. Still, at that point, the team could also match any offer he would get on the open market.