NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic to move one of their talented guards?

NBA Trade Rumors: After drafting a guard in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic could look to trade one of their talented young guards.

Heading into the 2023 NBA Draft, the opportunity was going to be available for the Orlando Magic to get creative with their two lottery picks. In the end, Orlando decided to stand pat and use their two first-round picks on areas of need.

The Magic needed to find a possible playmaker of the future and need some shooting help. They accomplished both of those objectives with the No. 6 and 11 pick in the first round. With the No. 6 pick, the Magic selected playmaking point guard Anthony Black. The hope is that he can develop into the team’s long-term answer at the point guard position.

Additionally, the Magic also added sharpshooting guard Jett Howard with the No. 11 pick. Howard is an intriguing guard prospect that could end up paying dividends down the road if he develops on the defensive end of the floor.

All that said, heading into the NBA Draft, the reports suggested that the Magic would be open to trading Cole Anthony and/or Jalen Suggs if they drafted a guard.

The Orlando Magic have to trade one of their guards

But here’s the thing. The Magic didn’t just select one guard in the NBA Draft, they took two. That would almost point to a clear indication that the team could be ready to move on from one of the point guards already on the roster.

Anthony’s and Howard’s presence on the roster will only further complicate what has become a logjam in the backcourt. Even though it’s probably a good problem to have for a young team, there’s no question the Magic have some figuring out to do this offseason.

Without even accounting for free agency, in which Orlando may explore adding a veteran point guard, the Magic already has five guards on the roster – Markelle Fultz, Anthony, Suggs, Black, and Howard. And they’ll be vying for four rotation spots. That’s a surplus of talent that the Magic could look to take advantage of by making a trade.

Making the shift away from the NBA Draft in anticipation of free agency, the Magic are certainly a keep to keep tabs on. At this point, it would be extremely surprising if they didn’t move on from one of their talented guards regardless of what they do in free agency.