The Orlando Magic enter this offseason needing to adjust their on-court structure for next season. More specifically, the organization must find ways to spread the floor and open up space for star players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. One of the more intriguing moves the Magic can execute involves trading for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid.
Why Naz Reid Is The Ultimate Trade Target For The Orlando Magic
Following a disappointing exit to the Detroit Pistons in Round One of the playoffs, Orlando signaled a need for change with the firing of Jamahl Mosley. The franchise cannot rely on internal progression to reach the next level. A slight transformation to its roster becomes necessary.
To take the next step, the Magic do not have to completely tear down the roster or call in a big-name superstar for rescue. Instead, Orlando needs a move to shift the court’s geometry and open up the paint.
Unclogging The Lane
To fully understand Reid’s fit with the Magic, you have to understand the current weakness of Orlando’s frontcourt fully. Mosley’s construction of a top-five defense relied on deploying skilled players with both size and length. Unfortunately, that archetype disrupted offensive fluidity. As a result, the Magic settled in as a middle-of-the-road offensive team, recording 115.7 points per game.
Current Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. has become a reliable big man for the Magic. However, his offensive game does not force defenses to move much. Big men are fine, daring him to shoot from the perimeter, understanding it is not Carter Jr.’s strong suit.
When Carter Jr., Banchero, and Wagner shared the court, opposing players knew shutting down Orlando’s offense meant clogging the lower portion of the paint. This scenario, of course, makes execution challenging for the likes of Banchero and Wagner. Every possession involves muscling their way through the lane and forcing contested shots at the rim. Instead of perimeter threat clearing the lane for high-percentage looks, the Magic must rely on less efficient shot opportunities.
The game of basketball simply yields more success when your primary producers, like Banchero, have the room to create offense.
An Added Spacer & Playmaker
Reid is an established five-out center. Plugging him into the lineup completely shifts how a team must defend you. A clear mismatch provider, Reid is a nightly threat to record close to 15 points a contest. Connecting on 36.2% of his three-pointers last season, he also forces defenders to respect his perimeter presence.
Reid’s effective execution from beyond the arc also completely transforms Orlando’s fast-break approach. If Reid trails the play instead of making his way towards the rim, opposing centers have a crucial decision to make. They either commit to defending the lanes, leaving Reid open for a three, or commit to defending his perimeter, leaving the paint less protected. Either way, just Reid’s presence on the court provides the Magic with transition options.
When defenses must respect the perimeter, the entire game plan changes. Reid forces primary shot-blockers away from their office, leaving lanes open for Orlando’s offensive engines. Banchero and Wagner will finally receive the space they need to attack defenders one-on-one, leading to better chances at the basket. Eliminating secondary help in driving lanes prevents the half-court grind that the Magic experienced so much this past season.
Not only is Reid a top-notch spacer on the court, but he is also an effective playmaker at the high-post and elbow. His quick decision-making would allow Orlando to run high-post split action, once again demanding the opposition’s attention. Reid would force the defense to address him at the elbow, allowing for a teammate to cut to the basket and receive a pass. It is hard to imagine one player making Orlando’s offense much more unpredictable. However, Reid would do just that.
The Potential Trade
Oftentimes, acquiring an asset such as Reid involves exploiting another team’s troubles. After a disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Timberwolves face organizational questions around their current roster and finances. Right now, the Timberwolves are facing a brutal luxury tax bill, with a lot of money tied up in their core players. If the franchise cannot move some money, they face serious second-apron restrictions. Luckily for the Magic, Reid represents a casualty of Minnesota’s current financial challenges.
Currently, Orlando sits comfortably below the luxury tax threshold. This allows them the financial flexibility to provide the Timberwolves with some relief.
A realistic trade package for Reid would need to center on sending Carter Jr. the other way. Along with Carter Jr., the Magic would likely need to part ways with Cole Anthony and a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick.
Attaching Anthony to the deal is far more than just matching salary. For the Magic, it clears up the crowded backcourt depth chart and provides young guard Anthony Black more minutes to continue his development. For Minnesota, acquiring Anthony provides the team with a legitimate point guard to run the second unit.
The Last Word
If the Orlando lands Reid in a trade with Minnesota, the Magic will have found a way to modernize their roster into the fluid, space-making unit it must become to reach the next level.
More importantly, acquiring Reid maintains Orlando’s length and physicality while adding a much-needed improvement to perimeter execution. Trading from depth and financial flexibility allows the Magic to acquire the piece necessary to enter the conversation as a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Featured Image: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
