The Orlando Magic are heading toward a second-apron squeeze, and that reality has put Paolo Banchero right into the middle of trade chatter. With Anthony Black due for an extension next summer and too many high-priced players on the books, the Magic are staring at a problem that could force a tough decision.
That’s the kind of situation CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn brought up on a recent episode of The Third Apron podcast, where he floated the idea that Orlando should consider moving Banchero now before his value slides in a Jaylen Brown-like way. Quinn pointed to the Boston Celtics’ decision to trade Brown for what looked like pennies on the dollar, driven by the desire to avoid having two players consume 70% of the cap.
If Orlando ever did make Banchero available, the Chicago Bulls should be ready to pounce.
For a team still building its next core, talent has to stay on the radar at all times. The Bulls are trying to piece together a solid foundation, and Banchero fits the profile of a player worth aggressive pursuit. He has flaws, but his scoring ability is real, and so is the way he can attack downhill, force defenses to collapse, and create cleaner looks for everyone around him.
The fit with Chicago’s current group would not be seamless. There would be a logjam at the forward spots with three players for two positions, but there are ways to work around that. If Matas Buzelis were to move to shooting guard, or if Caleb Wilson proved he could handle small-ball five duties, Buzelis, Wilson, and Banchero could share the floor.
That’s the bigger point: Banchero is the kind of young star worth chasing even when the fit isn’t perfect. His offensive impact is strong enough to make him a target on his own terms. He would also bring a boost beyond the box score, giving the Bulls a player who could fill seats and help push the team forward with Wilson and Buzelis in the mix.
If the price made sense, Chicago should be in the conversation. The catch is that this only becomes real if the Magic actually decide to make him available, and that likely wouldn’t happen unless Orlando found itself in a rough spot at the deadline.
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