The Orlando Magic are teetering on the edge of contention after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.
With a young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic just made a bold move to acquire Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooting two-way stud Desmond Bane.
But is another gigantic trade on the way for Orlando?
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently proposed a blockbuster trade that could see one of the NBA’s greatest scorers don a Magic uniform.
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O’Connor outlined the potential trade package on a recent episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show:
“Kevin Durant as a part two (trade) for the Orlando Magic,” O’Connor said. “Send the Suns Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Gogo Bitadze (or Wendell Carter), and the 25th pick, and ... they still could swap future firsts. They could re-swap the first that they already sent out for a swap in the deal with the Memphis Grizzlies; they could do the worst of the Magic or Grizzlies pick in that situation, as well. So this deal would be three former lottery picks — Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, and Jett Howard — a good rotation center, and a first-round pick.”
KD on the Magic? Wow. Durant’s elite scoring and floor-spacing ability would complement Banchero and Wagner, creating a formidable trio. Add Bane and Jalen Suggs to that core, and Orlando could emerge as a Finals favorite out of the Eastern Conference in 2025-26.
But would Phoenix feel that this package is better than other offers on the table for KD? It's doubtful unless the Suns are abnormally high on Black.
Thinking about the deal from Durant's perspective, it would be wise for KD to go to the East if he wants to compete for another title.
Joining Orlando might give Durant the best chance to win another ring, but the Suns are probably going to do what's best for their franchise and send KD to the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, or another team offering a bit more than this Orlando package.
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