How This Trade Impacts Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic has a lot of excellent young players. But, the jury is still out on if any of them can develop into All-Stars as the pillar of the franchise. So, if presented the chance to acquire one without surrendering much, the Magic would jump at the opportunity.
Orlando management would be ecstatic about this trade. Brandon Ingram is exactly the kind of player that they need. They are lacking a building block on the wing and at 24-years old, Ingram fits any timeline.
He is still young enough to fit the timeline of the other recent draft picks on the team, but is talented enough that if the Magic push this rebuild and try acquiring established talent, he fits in that way as well.
Ingram’s 3-point shooting will be integral to the team, as their backcourt lacks any true threats from the 3-point line. Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, and Jalen Suggs are all better at attacking the rim than spotting up around the perimeter.
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The package to land Ingram is also relatively cheap. Orlando won’t miss Wendell Carter Jr. as they have Mo Bamba waiting to be unleashed at the center spot. Gary Harris was just taking up playing time from their younger guys and Ingram and replacing any two-way play he was receiving minutes for.
Terrence Ross has turned into a solid player for the Magic, but his addition into a deal won’t stop them from acquiring a player of Ingram’s caliber. Orlando has plenty of backcourt depth that can develop into a scoring threat off the bench.
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There is a risk in surrendering an unprotected first-round pick when you are at the stage of a rebuild that the Magic are, but the roster would be much improved with Ingram and should challenge for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament at the very least.
The Magic would be all for this deal, would the Pelicans feel the same?
