How Recent Luka, Fox Trades Affect Magic's Outlook at Trade Deadline

As the 2025 NBA trade deadline makes it's approach, blockbuster deals have gone down on consecutive nights.

First, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers completed what could be considered one of the most shocking trades in NBA history early Sunday morning, agreeing to swap superstars Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis (among other pieces) for one another.

Then, on Monday night, the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls completed a three-team deal that pairs De'Aaron Fox with Victor Wembanyama on the Spurs, moves Zach LaVine to the Kings and sends a package of picks and players to the Bulls.

Magic's full schedule: See when new-look teams come to town

The Orlando Magic aren't involved with either deal. But, that doesn't mean those dominos falling couldn't affect their outlook on this upcoming trade deadline.

The Magic, 24-26 this year, could use a boost in perimeter scoring and potential frontcourt depth. They're on track to be the worst three-point shooting team in the past decade, and they're currently the lowest-scoring team in the NBA. Advanced analytics aren't kind to them, either.

In case you missed it, Magic on SI took an in-depth look at the Magic's situation a week out from the deadline. Everything from the argument to make a move or again stand pat, the assets Orlando could offer and who could be a fit for the Magic. CLICK HERE

Regarding the Doncic-Davis trade, the Magic – like many others – are just bystanders. Neither Los Angeles nor Dallas had much that would realistically fulfill a need Orlando has at this deadline.

If anything, it proves that if a consensus top-5 player at age 25 can be moved less than a year after leading a team to the Finals, then few players in this league are truly "untouchable." It just depends on the respective front office's price.

In terms of the Kings, Spurs and Bulls doing business centered around Fox and LaVine, those players had the feel of the big-name, big-contract players that were going to be moved.

The Spurs are rightfully buying into the future of their 2023 No. 1 overall pick by getting Wembanyama his star guard for years to come. The Kings slightly expanded their draft capital and took on a proven high-volume scorer in LaVine, who also comes with a high price tag, while the Bulls further shifted focus toward the future.

A Chicago Sun-Times report surfaced last week, stating that the Bulls were open to parting with anyone on the roster not named rookie Matas Buzelis at the deadline. That means for the right price, guards like Lonzo Ball and Coby White or former Magic center Nikola Vucevic could also find new homes at this deadline if they were to continue to sell off.

White, who turns 25 just a few days after the deadline, is averaging 18.4 points a game this season on 43.5 FG% and 36.6 3PT% on 8.3 three-point attempts a game, plus 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 32.6 minutes. He's started all 42 games he's appeared in this season for the Bulls. Drafted No. 7 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, this is White's sixth season in Chicago.

His 22.7 usage rate is currently the second-highest of his career and second-highest on the Bulls, but four healthy Magic players have higher marks – Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. White splits his time as a primary or secondary ball-handler in Chicago's backcourt, but the potential fit with the Magic would offer more chances as an off-ball scorer and alleviate some of the pressure off of Banchero and Wagner.

Ball, now 27, returned to the court this season after missing the two previous seasons due to injury. In 21.3 minutes a game, Ball is scoring 7.2 points a game while adding 3.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per. He's posting 36.9 FG% and 34.8 3PT% clips with a 14.9 usage rate.

Contractually, both Ball and White are on affordable deals. White is worth $12 million and has a year remaining on his deal at $12.9 million, while Ball's $21.3 million expires heading into this summer.

Malik Monk is set to shift into a primary guard role for the Kings after dealing Fox. But, more moves could be on the way for Sacramento as it makes its way into a new era without the player who'd become the face of their franchise in recent seasons. Averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists this season, Monk has the microwave scoring capabilities other teams desire.

Before signing a new four-year, $78-million deal this past offseason, he was set to be an intriguing name to monitor on the free agent market.

The Magic have got up-close looks at Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton in the two previous games. Each is rumored to be available as their respective teams, Portland and Utah, are sellers at the deadline. Other high-production players in similar situations – Cam Johnson in Brooklyn, Jordan Poole in Washington and others – are potential fits for what the Magic need.

So too are veteran sharpshooters that can be relied upon when the ball is kicked out to them. Names like Phoenix's Grayson Allen or Memphis' Luke Kennard fit that mold.

Regardless, the deadline's fast approach is bringing intriguing moves that are shaping the season's stretch run. Orlando has its core pieces in place and can capitalize now before their rookie contracts balloon into their deserved extensions, which in turn makes roster construction around them more difficult.

This deadline has shown anything can be possible. With 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6 fast approaching, time will tell about whether the Magic get involved.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• MAGIC STICKING WITH BANCHERO THROUGH GROWING PAINS: Paolo Banchero is struggling to rediscover his rhythm, but the Orlando Magic have his back during the process. CLICK HERE
• WHEN MAGIC PLAY NEW-LOOK LAKERS, MAVS: After the seismic Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade Saturday night, check out when the Magic host each new-look team this year. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC SEARCHING IN MIRROR FOR IDENTITY: After getting "punked" Thursday night in Utah, Orlando is looking to be the aggressor again. CLICK HERE
• BLACK NAMED TO RISING STARS: The second-year guard joins teammates Tristan da Silva and Mac McClung in the competition. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC AIM TO RECTIFY LATE-GAME WOES: Orlando is struggling to close games as of late, they said Wednesday. Out west, they want to change that. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC MUST TAKE HARSH LESSONS IN STRIDE: A "second training camp" is forcing the Magic to learn on the fly and overcome speedbumps all at once. CLICK HERE

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