NBA speculation: Orlando Magic eying potential deal for Portland Trail Blazers' $100 million star player
Rewritten Article:
The Orlando Magic's dismal playoff performance yet again in the NBA has left fans clamoring for a shake-up this offseason. Though the Magic have been a thorn in opponents' sides over the past two seasons, they've noticeably lacked backcourt creativity and shooting efficiency — key components that champions often possess. A call to the Portland Trail Blazers might just be the solution to this quandary.
According to Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Magic were among those considering a pursuit for Damian Lillard before the 2023-24 season. Now, another Trail Blazer has found his way into Orlando's sights: Lillard's former teammate, Anfernee Simons.
Simons, a 25-year-old Orlando native who meshes well with the Magic's young core (comprising Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both 22 and 23 respectively), is an appealing prospect. Although his 3-point percentage dipped this past season, Simons boasts a career 38.1% 3-point shooting average and consistently ranks among the league's best free-throw shooters. This could indicate that his perimeter shooting numbers may improve with a new role outside of Portland. Simons has also averaged 4.5 assists for the last four seasons.
If acquired, Simons would be an instant boost to Orlando's underperforming offense, which placed fourth-worst in rating. The teams ranking below them — the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets — combined for a dismal 63-183 record this season. The Magic's offensive rating was so poor, in fact, that their net rating was just -0.2, despite boasting the second-best defensive rating (109.1) in the league.
Injuries to key players like Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner no doubt contributed to the Magic's offensive struggles. Suggs, who averaged a career-high 16.2 points per game along with 3.7 assists before his season-ending injury in January, and Wagner, who was averaging 12.9 points with a 36.0% 3-point shooting percentage off the bench before tearing his ACL in December, both played significant roles in Orlando's offense.
With Simons being in the final year of his contract and earning $27.7 million in 2025-26, the Blazers may find it advantageous to make a deal. Although the Blazers have received calls about Simons in the past, there hasn't been an immediate sense that he was close to being dealt. This could change in the offseason, as Simons will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 at the age of 27.
Part of the Magic's offensive woes can be traced back to injuries to key players like Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner. Suggs, who averaged a career-high 16.2 points per game along with 3.7 assists before going down with a season-ending injury in January, and Wagner, who was averaging 12.9 points with a 36.0% 3-point shooting percentage off the bench before tearing his ACL in December, both played significant roles in Orlando's offense.
- The Orlando Magic's poor playoff performance has sparked rumors of a shake-up, with the NBA's trade market becoming a possibility.
- Anfernee Simons, a 25-year-old Orlando native and former Portland Trail Blazer, has reportedly become an appealing prospect for the Magic.
- If the Magic manage to secure Simons, his acquisition could nicely address their backcourt creativity and shooting efficiency issues, key components often found in championship-winning teams.
- With Simons set to earn $27.7 million in the 2025-26 season, the Trail Blazers may find it beneficial to negotiate trades, considering he is in the final year of his contract.
- The injury-plagued Magic, who struggled offensively this season, are hoping that the addition of a proven player like Simons could boost their playoff prospects for future seasons.
- Some sports analysts have suggested that the playoffs could see a significant shift in teams' standings next season, given the potential trades and injuries that might occur in the NBA, especially around the highly-anticipated battle between Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers and the Orlando Magic.
