Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Mo Bamba, ORL 2023 2nd Round Pick
Orlando Magic Receive: C Mike Muscala, G Ty Jerome, MIA 2023 1st Round Pick (via OKC)
This year, many picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to be one of the worst teams in the league, but they are currently 11-17 and a tough team to face in the Western Conference. While they are in 14th place in the West currently, they are just 4 games back from being the 8-seed and could definitely make a run late in the year.
Mike Muscala has been a solid backup center for them, but does not present much of a future for the Thunder. He is in the final year of his contract and with them looking to acquire youthful talent that can grow with this franchise, he does not really fit this description, which is why they would be interested in trading him.
Currently, Ty Jerome is in the G-League for the Thunder and has not played a single minute at the NBA level yet this year. In limited time last year in the G-League, Jerome averaged 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals and shot 35.7% from three-point range. He has always been known to be a great shooter, which is why he could fit in well with the Magic.
Orlando is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league and with Evan Fournier in the final year of his contract, it would make sense for them to pursue a young perimeter oriented guard. Jerome can play on or off the ball and be a nice fit next to Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz in the backcourt.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers have interest in trade for Magic center Mo Bamba
Giving up Bamba does not really hurt the Magic either because they have the frontcourt depth to replace him. When Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke and Al-Faroq Aminu are all healthy, Bamba’s role with this team will slowly start to diminish, which is why they should trade him now while he still has some value attached to his name.
Both teams are looking at their futures and how to build themselves into playoff contenders, so let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the Thunder and the Magic.
