According to Marc Stein, Anfernee Simons is a pr
ojected target for the Orlando Magic. You can read about it in Stein’s substack.
Stein writes:
As a new offseason beckons, another Trail Blazer has been increasingly projected as an Orlando target: Lillard’s former Blazers backcourt mate Anfernee Simons.
But Stein also spends a lot of time discussing what Magic President Jeff Weltman mentioned in his postseason comments: the need for shotmaking.
In Stein’s substack, he quotes Weltman, who says:
What we need is proven shot-making, proven offensive play, someone that going to come in and help augment our weakness,” Weltman said. “Clearly we need to get better offensively. Clearly we need to shoot the ball better. Those are the goals and that’s the lens we need to look at as we enter the offseason
If there’s one thing the Jazz have, it’s shotmaking. And there’s no clearer target than Lauri Markkanen, who would fit with the Magic perfectly. Markkanen does not fit the Utah Jazz timeline, who will likely be going for a top pick in the draft again next year.
But is there a move that makes both teams happy? Here’s a trade that I think could work.
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Here’s the trade breakdown:
Orlando Magic receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Gary Harris, Anthony Black, two unprotected 1st-round picks.
Orlando keeps their core pieces in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. They also keep Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter, and all the major core pieces to make a run. Utah gets a young, promising guard in Anthony Black, and they can move two pieces in KCP and Gary Harris. This also ensures the Jazz can get a top pick next year. Utah can’t afford to mess around next season with their pick that they only keep if it’s top-8 in the draft.
There are different variations of this. Utah hopes that the Magic have a downturn in 2028, but this includes the #16 pick in this draft, which could be a great player. The Magic get a former all-star who can give them incredible shooting and shotmaking, playing off of Paolo and Franz.
What do you think? Is this something the teams should consider?
