Pretty straightforward. PDX needs to choose between Scoot and Simons. If they choose Scoot, ORL is probably Simons' best case scenario. Simons is definitely ORL's best case scenario. The money gets REALLY tight for ORL next year, though.

If there were more expiring deals to send them I would, but who else would Magic want that PDX would give up? Gave them Kris Murray for Houston now because PDX doesn't really need him, and might prefer the younger Houston. Murray probably has a better market in the offseason to garner them a 2nd round pick from someone else, since he could appeal to win-now teams, too. Houstan just a future flier for a rebuilding team.

/

The funny thing is one of the hardest parts of doing this deal is getting enough players back to Magic, and not too many over to the Blazers. Magic can stand to bring in some two-way guys, so they're OK. More than OK if they're getting back Murray + Green, tbqh.

But Blazers have exactly 15 guys under contract. The next best bet is to replace Joseph + Houstan with Jett Howard, which of course changes the complexion of the draft capital. PDX def does that, ORL might prefer giving up draft capital.

Pels are ONLY here because they want to A) cut cap, B) don't need a player back, and C) Green is one of the cheapest expiring deals in the league, and for a guy who can still really play. If you start at the bottom of the 2024 payroll for 2025 UFAs, he's one of the only dudes/ teams who can help get more bodies to Magic. I promise I wasn't just being a homer Pels fan. Rn there's legit very few playable guards on expiring deals from teams willing to move them. I was v surprised https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2025/position/g/sort/contract_value