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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Jalen Suggs #4 of the Orlando Magic walks on the court during a break in the third quarter of a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup against the New York Knicks at T-Mobile Arena on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Knicks defeated the Magic 132-120. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic were seen as a team by many NBA pundits that could possibly challenge to win the Eastern Conference. Trading for Desmond Bane in the offseason was supposed to give them offensive firepower. That trade gave them something they desperately needed.
Right now, the Magic sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. It has been a very disappointing start to the season. Injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner haven’t helped. Jalen Suggs has missed the last eight games, as well.
A wild three-team trade proposal from Bleacher Report would see Orlando add some firepower on the offensive end of the court to help their beleaguered offense by bringing in Karl-Anthony Towns.
GettyNew York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns dribbles the ball. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Wild Magic Trade Idea Nets Them Karl-Anthony Towns
Here is the full trade proposal:
New York Knicks Receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Jalen Suggs
Orlando Magic Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Day’Ron Sharpe
Brooklyn Nets Receive:Jonathan Isaac, Jett Howard, 2026 first-round pick (from Washington Wizards; top-eight protection; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed; via New York), 2028 second-round pick (least favorable of Indiana and Phoenix; via New York), 2030 second-round pick (more favorable of Orlando and New Orleans; via Orlando), 2031 first-round swap (via Orlando)
Trading Suggs would really hurt Orlando’s perimeter defense. He is the heart and soul of the defense, and Orlando had the second-best defense in the league last year because of him. However, the Magic have just the 13th-ranked defense this season.
Adding KAT would give the Magic some desperately-needed 3-point shooting. Orlando is the third-worst team in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage. Towns would allow them to space the floor and give some room for Banchero to operate in the paint.
A trade like this would signal that Orlando is going for it all this season. When the team is fully healthy, they have a really good shot to compete in the playoffs. Suggs and Issac are too injured to play a big part in a winning playoff team.
GettyOrlando Magic guard Desmond Bane shoots the ball. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
The Magic Likely Won’t Make a Flashy Trade
Orlando doesn’t have the trade assets to pull off a major trade after bringing in Bane. They gave up too much draft capital in that trade to make a justified move for an All-Star caliber player. Unless they take a flyer on one of the distressed assets, they likely won’t make a massive move.
That doesn’t mean that Orlando will sit out the trade deadline completely. There’s a chance they make a smaller move around the fringes of the roster so they can improve the overall effectiveness of the team. They could still compete in the playoffs with the right move.
Injuries have once again been a massive story of the Magic so far. Getting healthy would give them a chance to identify how good their current roster is before making a big move. The trade deadline is just in a couple of weeks, so time is running out.