The Orlando Magic have a bona fide superstar in Paolo Banchero, but they might need a little (or a lot) more talent to stop the Boston Celtics from dominating the Eastern Conference for the rest of the 2020s.
Orlando would love to place another superstar alongside Banchero — someone like LaMelo Ball — but for the time being, the Magic might need to settle for a fringe All-Star type acquisition to improve their chances at a deep playoff run.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes named the Portland Trail Blazers’ Anfernee Simons as a “realistic target” for Orlando.
“Anfernee Simons was the obvious, ideal target for the Magic a year ago...and six months ago...and over the summer...and, still, right now,” Hughes said.
“A consistently accurate high-volume three-point shooter over the last half-decade, Simons can space the floor off the ball and do just enough as a setup man to make sense next to fellow hybrid guard Jalen Suggs.”
“Suggs, of course, is a defensive ace. He'd cover for Simons, a good athlete (remember that dunk contest?) who's never really turned his natural skills into impactful play on D.”
“With Scoot Henderson looking much improved in his second-season bench role so far, the Blazers should be comfortable moving on from Simons, collecting assets and turning things over to the guy they spent the No. 3 pick on in the 2023 draft.”
Simons is in the third year of a four-year, $100 million deal.
Should Orlando prepare an offer for Simons and give Portland a call this winter?
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