The Orlando Magic have the fifth pick in the NBA draft on Thursday and leading into things the team has been mentioned in trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings in a deal for DeMarcus Cousins that could include Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and a draft pick, which a team could use on Jahlil Okafor, D'Angelo Russell or Kristaps Porzingis.
The deal has a lot that needs to happen for the Lakers to pull it off, as the Kings are not even sure if they want to trade Cousins right now. The Magic are in good position to make a trade, as they have the fifth pick in the draft and could use that as a chip even if the Lakers deal doesn't work out. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Lakers and Kings have discussed a deal and the Magic could be involved in a move to get Cousins to Los Angeles.
Mannix writes that Randle is "in play" as part of the deal and he could go to the Kings or the Magic depending on how the deal is constructed. The Magic have Nikola Vucevic and if he gets moved, it's likely that the Magic would try and get back Randle or the chance to add another big man in the draft. If the Kings go after Vucevic, the pick could go to the Magic, but that is not looking likely. Following the early talk about the deal, Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic are "not part" of the three team trade involving the Lakers.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that Vucevic could end up in Sacramento if the deal does happen, while Cousins would be in Los Angeles and the Magic could get a draft pick. This trade is unlikely because there is so much involved and now the Magic may also simply concentrate on making a pick and not trading in the draft. According to Chris Sheridan, the team has met with Porzingis and the team is "intrigued" by the European big man.
Vucevic averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game last season and that was his best scoring output in his career. The team could use him as a trade chip if they want, but the Magic might be better served keeping him, as he has put up double digit rebound averages in each of the last three seasons. The Kings are reportedly looking at a number of deals this offseason, including moves involving Rudy Gay, Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried. The Lakers-Magic proposed deal could just be the first of many failed trades this offseason.
