Three weeks out from the NBA trade deadline, the Orlando Magic find themselves in a rare but tricky position - one foot in the buyer’s market, the other in the seller’s. That’s the kind of balancing act that can define a front office’s legacy, especially for a team that's turned the corner from rebuilding to playoff contention.
Let’s be clear: the Magic are no longer just a fun, young team with upside. They’re in the mix.
They’re in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. And while they might not be sitting exactly where they hoped in the standings at the season’s midpoint, there’s a sense within the organization that they’re close - maybe just a piece or two away from making serious noise.
That’s where things get complicated.
The Taxman Cometh
President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has historically played things conservatively at the deadline - think more subtle tweaks than splashy headlines. But this year is different. This year, the Magic are staring down the luxury tax line, and the implications go beyond just dollars and cents.
Orlando is roughly $5.6 million over the tax threshold - not a huge number in NBA terms, but a significant one when you consider what it triggers. Staying above the tax this year starts the clock on becoming a “repeater” tax team, which brings much steeper penalties if you’re over the line three out of four years. And with Paolo Banchero’s max extension looming and Anthony Black likely to command a hefty payday of his own, the Magic know they’ll be living in tax territory for the foreseeable future.
So the goal is simple: get under the tax now, delay the repeater clock, and buy yourself a little financial breathing room before the big bills come due.
But achieving that goal? Not so simple.
Who’s on the Move?
Shedding $5.6 million sounds doable until you start looking at the roster. Jett Howard’s $5.5 million deal is tantalizingly close to the magic number, but Orlando already declined his fourth-year player option - a clear sign that they’re prioritizing flexibility over long-term investment in the former lottery pick.
Beyond that, the names that come up most often are Tyus Jones, Jonathan Isaac, and Goga Bitadze. Each of them makes well over the amount needed to dip below the tax, but moving them isn’t just about salary - it’s about value.
Jones, a steady veteran guard, has reportedly been floated in talks for second-round picks. That’s not exactly the kind of return that gets fans excited, but it would get the job done financially. It’s a classic salary dump scenario - move a useful player into someone’s cap space and take back minimal assets in return.
Bitadze is another candidate. He’s making $8.3 million this year and has been a reliable rotation big.
But replacing his production with someone making less than $3 million? That’s a tall order, especially for a team with playoff aspirations.
Then there’s Isaac. On paper, his $15 million salary gives Orlando the most flexibility to take back a meaningful piece in return.
But on the court, his value is murkier. Injuries have continued to limit his availability, and the league knows it.
To move him, the Magic may have to attach sweeteners - picks, young talent - and that’s a price they may not be willing to pay.
So the most realistic path may be the least glamorous: move Tyus Jones for draft capital, duck under the tax, and live to fight another day.
Still Buyers… Kind Of
But here’s the twist - Orlando isn’t just trying to shed salary. They’re also trying to win.
This team has real needs. Shooting is still a glaring weakness.
Rebounding has been inconsistent. And they could use another shot creator to ease the burden on Banchero and Franz Wagner.
In other words, they’re not just trimming fat - they’re trying to fill holes.
That’s where the trade deadline gets tricky. The Magic don’t have a ton of draft assets to throw around, and they’re reluctant to take on long-term salary that could complicate future extensions. So if they’re going to add, it’ll likely be a low-cost, high-upside type of move.
One name that’s popped up is Daniel Gafford. The big man has drawn interest from several Eastern Conference teams, including Orlando.
He’d check a few boxes - rim protection, rebounding, physicality - but his $14.4 million salary this year, with raises coming in future seasons, makes him a tough fit financially. Especially when the Mavericks, his current team, are also trying to cut costs.
A more realistic target? Someone like Keon Ellis from Sacramento.
He’s making just $2.3 million and has shown flashes as a two-way guard. That’s the kind of under-the-radar move the Magic might be able to swing without blowing up their cap sheet.
And don’t forget: Orlando has an open roster spot. If they can get under the tax by the deadline, they’ll be well-positioned to pounce on the buyout market - a sneaky way to add veteran help without giving up assets.
The Bottom Line
This deadline might not bring fireworks for the Magic. It might not bring that blockbuster move fans are hoping for. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important.
For Jeff Weltman and the front office, this is about threading the needle - staying competitive now while protecting the team’s long-term flexibility. That means making tough calls, maybe even unpopular ones, in the name of sustainability.
It’s not flashy. But it’s smart.
And if the Magic can find a way to both cut salary and add a rotation piece - even a modest one - it’ll be a quiet win in a deadline that’s more about positioning than transformation.
Because make no mistake: Orlando’s time is coming. This deadline is just about making sure they’re ready when it does.