Grade the trade: Bucks go all-in on small ball in mock deal with Lakers, Magic

Orlando Magic POV: A calculated gamble on offense

The Orlando Magic are at a pivotal juncture in their rebuilding journey, having transitioned from a prolonged period of mediocrity to a promising outlook for the future.

With a young core featuring standout talents like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, the Magic have laid a solid foundation. Their recent playoff appearance as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, following a 47-win season, marks a significant milestone in their quest for competitiveness.

This newfound success has shifted the team's mindset from rebuilding to fine-tuning their roster for sustained success in the coming years.

As they navigate the offseason, the Magic's front office faces critical decisions that could shape the franchise's trajectory. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman has emphasized the importance of maintaining their "North star" while strategically adding players who complement their existing talent.

With ample cap space and a wealth of draft assets, Orlando was well-positioned to pursue impactful additions that could address specific needs, particularly in the backcourt where they needed a more dynamic playmaker to elevate their offensive capabilities, something they acquired by adding NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell Pope. Yet, they could use more.

With this trade, the Orlando Magic acquire a proven scorer in Russell, who could be a focal point for their developing offense. They might lose some defensive presence with Carter Jr.'s departure, but it allows them to fully commit to Jonathan Isaac's development.

If necessary, the possible addition of draft picks from either Los Angeles or Milwaukee, along with the possible addition of Pat Connaughton to sweeten the deal, could only add to their ongoing rebuild strategy.

Given the emergence of their young pieces, the Magic are looking to move into the next stage of their rebuild, and this trade reflects that. They land D'Angelo Russell – a proven scorer who can take pressure off of Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony and be a focal point for their offense. Russell is among the better playmaking three-level scorers at the point guard position despite his history of inconsistency these past few years.

This move might raise questions about long-term defense, but the Magic are prioritizing scoring development for their young core. Russell's presence alongside their superstars creates a dynamic backcourt duo with offensive firepower. This trade speeds up their offensive development timeline, and the potential future draft capital adds valuable assets to their rebuild strategy.

The difficulty is keeping their young players' growth in check while still strengthening the squad to compete at a better level. The Magic's recent history of draft choices, which includes players like Anthony Black and Jett Howard, demonstrates their dedication to developing young players. But as they get farther away from the lottery, more attention will be paid to making smart plays that can advance them farther into the postseason.

The Magic's journey from rebuilding to being legitimate NBA contenders will be aided by their offseason moves.

Grade for the Magic: B