The Orlando Magic were hit with a devastating blow on Saturday, as All-Star hopeful Franz Wagner was diagnosed with a torn oblique. Perhaps not coincidentally, it’s the same injury that has had franchise star Paolo Banchero sidelined for multiple weeks. If the Magic were still a bottom of the barrel team, they might be able to wallow in their misery. However, at 16-9 (third in the East), they need to focus on keeping their footing.
To that point, there are multiple free agents on the market who could help them put point on the board while they’re without their best players, like Lonnie Walker IV and TJ Warren. Yet, there are better options on the trade market.
Jazz Trade Will Help Magic Keep Rhythm
Enter Collin Sexton
While Wagner and Banchero play in the frontcourt, it’s obvious that the Magic are unable to rely on their backcourt players to provide consistent offense. As a result, even when Wagner and Banchero return, they’ll need a reliable third option. There are a few backcourt players who have proven themselves capable of leading a team in scoring but the only ones thought to be available are Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton. Among those options, Sexton is the best fit due to his combination of scoring ability, defensive upside, and age.
Collin Sexton tonight:
26 PTS, 4 AST
(9-16 FG, 2-5 3P, 6/7 FT)
Jazz really made it a game for awhile https://t.co/Vo68efQlp1 pic.twitter.com/V5v2LeFwxe
— ℚ (@qshironalberti3) November 28, 2024
It’s unclear what the asking price is for Sexton, but Jazz CEO Danny Ainge’s reputation precedes him.
When Sexton was rumored to be a target of the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade negotiations in the 2023 offseason, the Jazz wanted the Bucks to give up perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Bobby Portis. However, that was before Sexton emerged as Utah’s starting shooting guard. In that role, he averaged 21.1 points per game with a 28.3 percent usage rate last season (51 games). In the 20 games he’s started this season, he’s averaging 17.6 points per game with a 24.2 percent usage rate.
With that being said, Utah could want at least a first-round pick for the 26-year-old. Despite his reputation, he’s been among the most productive and efficient scorers in the league since being drafted. This season, Sexton averages 21.6 points per 36 minutes and has made 41.8 percent of his threes. For context, Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black average 23.5 points per game combined this season, both shooting below 32 percent from three.
Cole Anthony Exits
If they can’t get a first for Sexton, a similar player probably has to be included in the deal. That player may not have to be a starter, but capable of being a volume scorer. In this case, Cole Anthony would be the most obvious candidate to be traded.
The 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony has fallen out of favor in recent seasons. In fact, he’s completely out of Orlando’s rotation. After averaging 16.3 points per game in his second season, the UNC product has regressed as a scorer and shown minimal improvement in several other areas.
Still, Anthony’s microwave scoring ability bears similarities to Jordan Clarkson’s, who happens to be a favorite of Jazz head coach Will Hardy. If Hardy was to see Anthony as Clarkson’s eventual successor, his career could be revived out West. To that point, Anthony is still just 24 years old, while Clarkson is 32.
No matter how you slice it, Utah gets the short end of the stick though. Anthony is averaging just 4.9 points per game this season and his stock is trending down. Sexton is averaging 16.9 points per game this season and his stock is trending up. The Magic need to give up more.
John Collins, Too?!
Goga Bitadze, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Gary Harris are among the veterans that Orlando could also consider moving in a deal with the Jazz.
Bitadze helps them shore up their center depth and provides a safety net if they find a deal for Walker Kessler. Caldwell-Pope and Harris are 3-and-D wings who could slot into Sexton’s spot, providing a better complement for Keyonte George in the backcourt.
From the Magic’s side, the focus should be on finding a way for John Collins to be part of the trade package. Frankly, Collins is an even more useful acquisition than Sexton in the short-term. He’s played multiple frontcourt positions throughout his career, which will help them survive without Wagner and Banchero. So will his relatively potent offense, as he’s averaging 17.9 points per game this season while scoring in myriad ways.
John Collins games with 20 points in his last two season
23-24 (68 games played)➖12
24-25 (21 games played)➖7John is on another level this year pic.twitter.com/NQjbunypn0
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) December 7, 2024
Truthfully, the Magic may budge off of a first-round pick if they can get both him and Sexton. When it’s an either-or proposition, that’s when the thought of adding in draft assets gets a bit tricky.
Because of their short-term and inexpensive contracts, Harris and Bitadze should both be added to the trade package. To help make salaries match, Caleb Houstan and Jett Howard have to be added to the deal as well. With that being said, the transaction could ultimately look like this:
Jazz receive — Cole Anthony, Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan, *Future First-Round Pick Magic receive — Collin Sexton, John Collins (*The Magic have eight first-round picks through the 2030 NBA Draft.)
Maybe there aren’t any perfect trades, but this is as close to one as either team may get.
