The Orlando Magic were seen as one of the few legitimate threats to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but then Paolo Banchero got hurt.
When Banchero returns from his right oblique injury (timetable still unknown), Orlando will be looking mighty scary again. It’s up to Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and the rest of the Magic’s young roster to hold things down until then.
Another option for Orlando is to make a huge trade to not only survive the Banchero absence but take things to the next level when Paolo gets back.
Banchero cannot carry the Magic through the East playoffs alone, and a second superstar would greatly increase Orlando’s odds of a deep run.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes called the Charlotte Hornets’ stud point guard LaMelo Ball a “dream target” on the trade market for the Magic.
A Ball-Banchero pairing would be explosive, but is it possible?
“Now is no longer the best time for the Orlando Magic to make a play for Ball, who’s draining deep threes, finishing better than ever around the basket and right back on track to become one of the top offensive guards in the game,” Hughes said.
“If the Magic had made a big offer when Ball was on the sidelines with persistent ankle injuries at some point during the last two seasons, they might have had a better shot at him.”
“Still, Ball remains a dream target because he provides what Orlando lacks: a legitimate playmaker in the backcourt who can make others better and terrify defenses as a three-point shooter.”
Ball is in year one of a five-year, $203.9 million designated rookie extension.
More NBA: Lakers might trade star rookie to acquire $215.2 million Hawks guard
