Why This Trade Would Make Sense For The Orlando Magic
This is a great trade for the Orlando Magic because they are able to get their point guard of the future for a very affordable price tag. Russell Westbrook is without a doubt one of the best point guards the NBA has seen over the past few years and his next stop in Orlando could prove to be an even better one than his previous destinations.
Orlando is in good shape to compete in the upcoming seasons and the addition of Russell Westbrook could allow them to do that. Westbrook, this season, is averaging 21.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10.6 assists for the Wizards while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc.
With how inefficient Russell Westbrook is offensively, the Magic would essentially take the reins of tanking for quality draft picks without having to advertise they are doing it. He can rack up triple doubles and excite the home crowd while the team losses over and over en route to a great draft pick. If he does end up leading them to wins as the lone star, a role he’s most comfortable in, then they can trade Westbrook’s rehabilitated perception similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder did with Chris Paul.
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There will not be a dire need for the Magic to keep a wide amount of salary cap room open in the next season or two since they will be building through the draft. Taking on bad contracts to land more draft picks, especially a first round pick, would be the best method for them to take advantage of that space.
The Magic would not be receiving a massive haul in the draft compensation department. However, the protection would likely cause the first-round selection convey in the 2022 NBA Draft, which would help them to further their efforts with the other picks they landed from recent trades for key players they completed before the NBA trade deadline.