Over the last few days, we've explored how Pascal Siakam would fit on the Hawks and Pacers if the Raptors decided to work out a trade with either team.
Now, it's time to explore his potential fit on the Magic.
In early July, Michael Grange of Sportsnet identified the Magic as "another team that bears watching" in the Siakam sweepstakes. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported a few days later that talk of Orlando's interest in the two-time All-Star was "more noise than substance at this time," but it is worth noting that there is a connection between Magic president Jeff Weltman and the Raptors.
Plus, the Magic have the assets to pull off a trade for a star of Siakam's caliber, whether it's building a package around some of their young players or future draft picks.
Should the Magic trade for Siakam? The Sporting News takes a closer look at what he'd bring to Orlando.
MORE: The Sporting News' ranking of the top 30 players in the NBA
Grading Pascal Siakam's potential fit on Magic
The Magic could run into some of the same issues the Raptors have if they were to trade for Siakam.
The Raptors would probably want Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner to be the centerpiece of a Siakam trade, but it's hard to imagine the Magic trading either one of them, especially with Siakam entering the final year of his contract.
A deal would likely feature Jonathan Isaac and Gary Harris to match Siakam's salary, plus some combination of Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Jett Howard and picks.
Banchero, Wagner and Siakam are all very talented, but they would have the same positional overlap problem as Siakam, Scottie Barnes and O.G. Anunoby. That trio has had some success, but overall, it has been quite clunky.
Complicating matters further is that Anthony Black, the No. 6 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, shot 30.1 percent from 3-point range as a freshman at Arkansas. Wendell Carter Jr. had a career year from the 3-point line in 2022-23, but he shot 29.8 percent from the perimeter in the first four seasons of his NBA career. Markelle Fultz has shot over 30 percent from deep only once in his career so far.
That would mean at least five of six players in Orlando's rotation would be limited or unproven 3-point shooters — the exception being Wagner, though even he isn't a particularly high-volume 3-point shooter. Spacing would likely be an issue unless a couple of players take a leap in that department.
MORE: Who are the best players Raptors could get in a Pascal Siakam trade?
Scotto mentioned that Siakam would "likely have to move to center" if he landed on the Magic's roster. Once again, lineups with Siakam at the five would run into some of the same issues that the Raptors have, but it would open up things for the Magic offensively.
It would be hard for teams to keep up with the Magic in transition. And at least one of Wagner, Banchero and Siakam would have a mismatch on most nights.
Banchero, Wagner and Siakam are very skilled wings. They can each run pick-and-rolls and be used as the screener in those actions. Neither Banchero nor Wagner were efficient one-on-one scorers last season, but they're more than capable of creating their own shots. (Banchero in particular has the makings of a big-time iso scorer.)
If they could figure out the spacing problem, there would be potential for them to be a dynamic trio.
The Magic were a slightly below-average defensive team last season. Siakam wouldn't make them elite by himself, but he's been a part of some excellent defensive teams in Toronto. His size and length make him tough to score on, he's capable of defending multiple positions and he's a factor on the glass.
Siakam, Banchero and Wagner would make for a rangy and versatile core on that end of the floor. The Magic could surround them with Black, Fultz and Carter, each of whom has proven to be a dynamic defender.
The Magic are in a similar position as the Pacers in that they're loaded with young talent and assets, but they might be feeling the pressure to be more competitive next season. The difference with the Pacers is that Siakam would be a seamless fit next to their two best players in Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner.
Siakam, Banchero and Wagner could work as a trio, but they'd have some pretty big hurdles to clear.
Grade: C
