The Orlando Magic have been consistent in their team identity for the last decade. Ever since Frank Vogel took over as head coach for the 2016-17 NBA season, the Magic have tried to implement a tough-nosed defensive "grindset," and, for the most part, they've succeeded. That mentality has carried on from Vogel to Steve Clifford to current play-caller Jamahl Mosley.
Their physicality and grit really showed in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were able to advance after a quick gentleman's sweep, but they'll be hoping that the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons go the distance, so they can recover both physically and mentally from the beating they took against Orlando. As punishing as the Magic's tough fouls and defensive vigor were, their lack of offense and, more specifically, outside shooting gave them an impossible climb against Boston's versatility and switchability.
Now, just like the teams that didn't make the playoffs, Orlando is back to the drawing board. The New Orleans Pelicans could take advantage of the Magic's offensive shortcomings against the Celtics and offer them this trade that'll also solve a lot of issues in the Bayou.
The Pelicans could give the Magic the perfect low-cost, sharpshooting, borderline All-Star guard
I've brought this up before, but CJ McCollum would be an absolutely harmonious fit for the Orlando Magic. In his time in New Orleans, he went from being a capable outside shooter, as he was with the Portland Trail Blazers, to one of the most lethal outside bombs in the entire league.
Since his first game with the Pelicans on October 30, 2021, he's 11th in the NBA in total 3-pointers made with 781. Of those 11 players, he's played the third-fewest games and has the third-highest mark from beyond the arc at 39.5 percent, behind only Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Adding CJ would instantly change Orlando's offensive gravity. Not only is he a high-volume bomber, but he can launch from a variety of different ways: off the catch, off the dribble, on the move, etc. With a quick trigger and a deep range, having a sniper like McCollum on the court would prevent defenses from being able to load up on Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
He'd also give the Magic a true veteran, ball-handler, and shot-creator, who'd be happy to defer to their young star wing duo. The price they'd be paying to have CJ for the 2025-26 season and his Bird rights would be well worth the cost.
In return, the Pelicans get Goga Bitadze, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cory Joseph, and the 25th-overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft via the Denver Nuggets. Bitadze has quietly become one of the most underrated bruisers and rim protectors in the league. He'd instantly be the best defensive anchor on New Orleans's roster at just 25 years old. On the other end of the court, he won't offer much outside of hard rim-rolls, offensive rebounding, and decent finishing, but he's flashed potential as a shooter and playmaker.
KCP gives the Pelicans a solid 3-and-D wing with championship experience. He'd be a valuable replacement for CJ in terms of both locker room presence and floor spacing, although he doesn't bring nearly as much offensive versatility or shooting consistency. That said, he's a far better defender than CJ's ever been, even at this stage in his career.
Cory Joseph is mostly a salary filler in this deal, but he's a serviceable point guard on both ends of the court for depth. The Nuggets' 2025 first-round pick gives the Pelicans another roll at landing a difference-maker in the crapshoot that is the draft. The Magic could swap this out for a later protected first-rounder, too.