The Orlando Magic are ready to make big changes to their roster in hopes of becoming a true postseason contender. After finishing the 2024-25 season with the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference, the Magic were bounced in the First Round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Given Boston’s edge in experience and talent, losing to the defending champs wasn’t exactly shocking. But the Magic did show flashes of their potential, which has led to expectations that they’ll look to upgrade their lineup this offseason.
Should the Orlando Magic Trade Away Cole Anthony and Jonathan Isaac?
Right now, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are the two clear cornerstones in Orlando. While the team has other solid players like Cole Anthony and Jonathan Isaac, NBA analysts Chris Mannix and Kevin O’Connor discussed how those two could be trade pieces this summer.
“I’ve heard that they are open to trading Cole Anthony and Jonathan Isaac with their first (draft pick) for an upgrade there. I’m just trying to do the math in my head. Getting Lauri Markkanen for those two salaries is close financially. But you have too many like 6’10 shot creators.” said O’Connor.
Mannix agreed with the idea of exploring a Markkanen trade. “Yeah, but Lauri is a shot maker too. I mean, you’ve watched them a ton this year. You watched them in the Boston series. Their defense is championship level.”
“They need one more shot maker. Now, maybe Lauri Markkanen is not ideal. They probably want somebody in the backcourt who’s more of a shot maker than a 6’10 forward who kinda clutters things up a bit with Paolo and Franz,”
He added, “They (Orlando) finished the year as what, the seventh seed in the East? They’re one shot maker away, one offensive player away from being a top four team again. They’re a team I’m really watching.”
If Orlando can convince the Utah Jazz to move on from Markkanen in exchange for Anthony, Isaac, and a first-round pick, it’s a deal the Magic would seriously consider to boost their chances at contending for a title. Markkanen brings a skillset that would allow Orlando to stretch the floor much more efficiently than they do now, giving Banchero and Wagner room to operate in the paint.
Markkanen has been linked to trade rumors for years. While the Jazz haven’t dealt him yet, the right offer could finally push them to start a full rebuild. This long offseason will tell whether the Magic and Jazz can work out a deal that helps both teams.
