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NBA Trade Deadline 2020: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Collin Sexton #2 high five during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 13, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Collin Sexton #2 high five during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 13, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 28: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat handles the ball during a game against the Boston Celtics on January 28, 2020 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 28: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat handles the ball during a game against the Boston Celtics on January 28, 2020 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic

Sending out: Aaron Gordon (SAS), Terrence Ross (DAL)

Bringing in: Goran Dragic (MIA), Nassir Little (POR), Brandon Knight (CLE), 2026 first-round pick (LAL)

The Magic are headed for a playoff berth, with a record below .500, likely to be followed quickly by a first-round exit at the hands of a team like the Raptors, Celtics or Bucks. Making the playoffs just to make the playoffs is not nothing for a team that has struggled for as long as the Magic have but it’s not really progress either — they have a significantly negative point differential, a clear step back from last season. At least some of that team regression can be pinned to individual regression from Gordon and Ross. Gordon’s potential is so immense that giving up on him feels like a huge loss, but after five and a half seasons it’s hard to make the argument that his ceiling is as a multiple All-Star.

Here the Magic are shifting their timeline a bit. Dragic might be able to help keep them in the playoff race but he and Knight are mostly just $35 million or so to take off the books this summer and use on something else. Little is a project but should at least get some minutes over the back half of the season with Jonathan Isaac and Al-Farouq Aminu out. The big prize here is the Lakers’ first-round pick at the end of the 2025-26 season, a year in which in Anthony Davis will turn 32 and LeBron James will turn 41 (and may not even be playing anymore). It’s a long way off but that pick could turn out to be a goldmine.

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