NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Destinations For Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley
By Chris Kern
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are a tough team to get a read on at the moment but being just 3 games out of a playoff spot they are expected to continue their push into the postseason.
The top five in the east is solidified and it seems as if the Brooklyn Nets are looking like they’re going to be the six seed, though they are up just 1.5 games on the seven seed.
So that basically means that there are five teams for two spots and if you want to include Brooklyn, six teams for three spots. The Magic haven’t made the playoffs since the 2011-12 season so they aren’t going to give up on this season.
Currently, their starting point guard is D.J Augustin and while he has played well this season, he is nowhere near the level of Conley.
The Magic have plenty of big contracts they could use in this deal. They have a few options they will need to decide though.
One is if starting shooting guard Evan Fournier is available in a trade. He is currently making $17million this season and will for the next two seasons as well with his final year being a player option for the 2020-21 season.
He has been a big factor on offense but if they want out of his contract this could be something they look into. They have two guys off the bench in Terrance Ross and Jonathon Simmons who are more than capable of filling the void he would leave at that spot.
Trading Ross and Simmons could be a more realistic option though. Ross is a free agent this summer but is making $10.5million this season. While Simmons is a free agent after next season and is making $6million this season with that number dropping to $5.7million next season.
This team has to decide if they’re willing to go all in on their young frontcourt of Aaron Gordon, Jonathon Isaac, and Mo Bamba. If that’s not the case maybe Isaac becomes available.
The Magic trust Wesley Iwundu off the bench and maybe even he could be an option for the Grizzlies. He is a young forward who could be in the rotation for a long time to come as well as
They would have to add in a larger contract and Timofey Mozgov is a good option. He is a free agent after next season with 2 years, $32.7million.
Nikola Vucevic is a free agent this summer so some feel it would be in their best interest to trade him and get some value for him rather than losing him in free agency.
He is averaging 20.5 points and 12 rebounds per game so he is clearly playing at an all-star level. While the Magic may still be all in on Bamba they very possibly could bring him back, especially if they make the playoffs this season.
And finally, the Magic have to consider whether they’d want to give up a first-round pick. If they give up a younger player in a trade they may not need to include a pick but if they are looking to unload salaries it’s very possible the Grizzlies will want a pick back.
Orlando wouldn’t give it unprotected but a lottery protected pick could work for both sides. If the Magic do end up making the playoffs then their pick would be in the 15-18 range most likely.
There are a lot of options for both sides to consider but if the Magic offered a deal of Augustin, Fournier, Isaac, and a 2019 lottery protected first round pick it would be something the Grizzlies should take. Shelvin Mack and Omri Casspi are two guys to watch who could go to Orlando as well.
While they certainly could covet more than this for an all-star caliber player his salary is going to lower his value a lot.
Again I have no reason to believe the Magic are actively pursuing Conley but they have the contracts as well as young assets on their roster to make a deal if they choose to do so.