The Trade:

Magic: Lauri Markenen

Jazz: Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva, 2025 FRP, 2026 FRP, 2027 FRP

Why the Magic do this: With the Magic making the playoffs as the 5th seed last season, it’s clear that their young core is phenomenal so why not add to it? Adding Lauri will basically guarantee that they make it out of the first round, but this move also benefits the future for Orlando. Lauri is still young, meaning the Magic could have an unstoppable big 3 for years, in Franz, Paolo, and Lauri on top of their other young beasts in Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. Remember, the Magic will still have FRPs in 2025 and 2026 despite giving up their own.

Starters: Suggs, Franz, Paolo, Lauri, Mo Wagner

Notable bench players: Cole, KCP, Gary, Isaac, Goga

Why the Jazz do this: They get the job done and move on from Lauri, who won’t re-sign with them. In the trade, the Jazz receive great future assets. WCJ is still very young and Anthony Black has lots of potential. They also get rookie Tristan Da Silva as well as 3 future unprotected FRPs. This offer will be better than Golden State’s offer since they won’t add Kuminga or Podz and will be better than the Spurs’ offer since the spurs won’t give them as much young assets.

Starters: George, Sexton, Hendricks, Kessler, WCJ

Notable bench players: Collier, Clarkson, Williams, Black, Da Silva, Collins