TRADE 1 Magic get: Zach LaVine, Torrey Craig Bulls get: Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris
Why the Magic do it:
Orlando is waiting on their two star forwards to come back, and assuming they will be back around Christmas or at the latest in January, this trade would be perfectly timed for them to all gain some chemistry. The only thing Orlando is missing is some shot creation and perimeter buckets and Zach Lavine fits perfectly as an All-Star, efficient bucket-getter without sacrificing any key young players or picks because of his lack of market. He's developed into a more than passable defender, so he wouldn't sacrifice Orlando's defensive identity either. Even without the other trade going through, there are few that a Suggs-LaVine-Wagner-Banchero-Carter Jr. lineup can't guard. Giving up Jonathan Isaac hurts but he has hardly played, and is the only salary component they'd be willing to include. Harris and Anthony have struggled this year and do not fill positions of need for the Magic. Torrey Craig is thrown in to fill Orlando's lack of backup wings.
Why the Bulls do It:
At this point, LaVine is single-handedly screwing over the Bulls' tank. There is zero market for him despite a number of great fits, and the Magic can take on the contract without a significant financial burden. Getting rid of LaVine for a solid young player in Anthony and getting Isaac's DPOY potential is hardly the worst return they could have got, plus worst-case scenario they are some very tradeable contracts as Isaac is only earning around 15 million through each year of his extension. The tank job is on and once they trade Nikola Vucevic, Chicago will be well on its way to a rebuild.
TRADE 2
Magic Get: Malcolm Brogdon Wizards Get: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2025 1st via DEN, 2025 2nd via BOS/MEM
Why the Magic do it: Orlando could use a true playmaker. Wagner and Banchero are excellent positional playmakers, but they lack a true floor general. Brogdon fills that need, is a great defender, and spaces the floor for the inconsistent shots from the Magic frontcourt. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to produce offensively either so the Magic can still continue to develop their other players' playmaking skill. KCP has struggled and giving up an inconsequential first and a second, provided Brogdon is assured to resign, shouldn't be an issue for Orlando. They also don't give up their own first in case Banchero and Wagner prove to have extended complications and they lose a lot more than expected. Brogdon likely will resign as he is late in his career without much playoff success and this would be his best shot yet to win a ring.
Why the Wizards do it: Brogdon is also a reason that DC is even a little bit competitive ever. Given that they're losing financial flexibility, they take a first and a second, but it's a happy price to pay especially considering that a KCP rebound in DC would possibly get them another first as well. Overall its about asset collection for the Wizards and giving KCP major minutes would buff his trade value for more treasure stocking.
Magic new DC: PG: Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Black
SG: Zach LaVine, Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner, Torrey Craig, Jett Howard
PF: Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze
C: Wendell Carter Jr., Mo Wagner
Note: Orlando could also switch the trade up by sending KCP to the Bulls and Isaac to the Wizards if that's what either team would prefer, salaries match up fairly well. Perhaps the Bulls don't want to take the risk, while the talent-hungry Wizards take a chance on Isaac's potential.