After earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink in the first round last season, the Orlando Magic were expected to take another leap into the East’s elite this year.
Unfortunately, it has been anything but a magic trick in Orlando this season, as the Magic are going to have to go through the play-in to clinch a playoff spot this year. Injuries have played a huge role in that, as their core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs have combined to miss 98 games this season. Banchero and Wagner have returned to their All-Star form, but Suggs is likely going to miss the rest of the year due to a knee injury.
Another reason for Orlando’s struggles has been its offense. They are 27th in offensive rating, 27th in field-goal percentage, 29th in effective field-goal percentage, 30th in three-point percentage, and 30th in three-point makes. Look at any offensive category, and you will find the Magic at the bottom.
What Orlando lacks is a dynamic shooting playmaker who can take the pressure off of their wing duo and spread the defense out. Fortunately for the Magic, the solution to their problems may be available this offseason.
The Orlando Magic should do whatever it takes to acquire Trae Young this offseason
Young’s future in Atlanta is very much uncertain, as they are in the middle of a reset/rebuild, and Young wants to win. In addition to that, he is eligible for a max contract extension this summer, and if he makes All-NBA, the price tag jumps. Decision time is coming for both parties.
Young is one of the best shot creators and playmakers in the NBA, and his game style is exactly what Orlando has been lacking. This season, Young is averaging 24 points per game and 11.5 assists per game, which leads the NBA and is a career-high for him. He has 47 games of ten or more assists this season and is inside the top 20 in total three-point makes.
Young does have a high usage percentage at 29.6 percent, which is 12th in the NBA, and is a below-average defender, but he is exactly what the Magic need. As good as Suggs is, he should not be Orlando’s primary floor general. His offensive game is not complete enough and at his peak, he is likely better suited as an off-ball two-way shooting guard.
Trae Young would elevate the Magic's offensive ceiling
Young’s gravity will take so much pressure off Banchero and Wagner and allows them to have more open looks. The wing duo also won’t have to work as hard for their shots in game and can have a guard set the table for them.
Young also excels in pick and roll, and his running with Banchero is a scary prospect to think about. Banchero has a big frame at 6’10” and 260 pounds and can finish strong inside the paint.
As for what Orlando should be willing to give up, anyone that is not named Banchero or Wagner should be on the table. They also have control of their first round picks for the next five years and have protected first rounders they can ship out as well. The Magic have what it takes to land Young and should he become available, they need to pounce.