The Orlando Magic are no longer just a rebuilding team with potential-they’re a legitimate playoff contender with real decisions to make as the trade deadline approaches. Sitting in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, Orlando has the kind of young core that teams dream about, but with expectations rising, the front office might be ready to make a move to level up. That makes their top trade assets worth a closer look.
According to a recent breakdown, Orlando’s most valuable trade chip isn’t a player-it’s their 2032 first-round draft pick. That might sound like a long way off, but in the NBA, a future unprotected first-rounder can be a golden ticket, especially when a team is on the rise.
The Magic already went big by acquiring Desmond Bane, a move that signaled they're serious about contending. That urgency raises the value of their lone remaining tradable first-rounder.
With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner anchoring the franchise, the focus shifts to maximizing their primes and building a sustainable, high-level supporting cast around them.
But it's not just picks that could be in play. Orlando also has a couple of intriguing young players who are drawing attention around the league-starting with Anthony Black.
The 2023 first-rounder has carved out a meaningful role off the bench this season, showing flashes of the two-way impact that made him a top-10 pick. While he's probably not going to run an NBA offense full-time, he’s been effective playing off the ball, particularly cutting and relocating to the corners.
His shooting has taken a dip-down to 29.8% from deep after hitting nearly 40% as a rookie-but his feel for the game continues to grow. Defensively, he’s been a standout.
Black brings a rare mix of length, effort, and anticipation that gives opposing guards fits. He’s averaging 13 points, four boards, and just over three assists per game-solid numbers that reflect his growing confidence and versatility.
Given Jalen Suggs’ injury history, Black has become more than just a developmental piece-he’s a dependable rotation player with upside. That makes him a valuable asset, whether Orlando decides to keep him or include him in a larger deal for a proven star.
Another name to watch is Tristan Da Silva, the Magic’s 2024 first-round pick. While he’s not making headlines, Da Silva has quietly become a steady contributor on a team with postseason goals.
At 6'8", he fits the mold of the modern NBA wing-switchable on defense, unselfish on offense, and increasingly confident from beyond the arc. His improvement from year one to year two is noticeable.
He’s putting up 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting a respectable 36.5% from three. Nothing flashy, but highly functional-especially when you consider he’s still on a rookie-scale deal for two more seasons.
That kind of cost-controlled production is gold for teams trying to balance winning now with maintaining flexibility.
So what does it all mean for the Magic? They’re in a rare position: young, competitive, and armed with a few valuable trade chips.
Whether they push their chips in at the deadline or stay patient depends on how much they believe in their current trajectory. But one thing’s clear-Orlando isn’t just building for the future anymore.
They’re playing for the present, and every move from here on out matters.