While the Orlando Magic had an injury-plagued season in 2024-25, they were able to reach the postseason after claiming the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference in the Play-In Tournament. Their season came to an unceremonious end in the first-round, however, as they were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in just five games.
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers finished 12th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. While they are still a ways from contention, they overwhelmingly exceeded expectations after entering the season projected to have the third-worst record -- and the lowest title odds -- in the league.
Despite seemingly being ahead of schedule in their rebuild, Portland remains focused on the future. A recent trade proposal suggested that the two sides could get together on a deal that could bolster Orlando's three-point shooting.
"Orlando Magic Receive: G Anfernee Simons Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Anthony Black, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2025 first-round pick (No. 25 overall via Denver Nuggets)," Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz wrote Tuesday. "Orlando needs offensive help, even when a healthy Jalen Suggs returns to the court. The Magic followed up a 27th-ranked scoring attack in the regular season by averaging just 93.6 points per game in the playoffs, the lowest of all 16 teams. A pass-first point guard who can elevate Paolo Bachero, Franz Wagner and others should be the first priority, although a combo guard like Simons, 25, is considered a projected target, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. Putting Simons (19.3 points, 4.8 assists, 37.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season) in the starting backcourt next to Suggs would help boost this team's offense and help shed what now looks like a bad Caldwell-Pope contract."
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Swartz added that Anfernee Simons may not be in the Trail Blazers long-term plans as he enters the final year of his contract -- due to the presence of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, both of whom are on rookie deals. He noted that moving the career 38.1% three-point shooter now would allow Portland to maximize his value, while attaining an additional first-round pick in what is considered a strong draft class.
He pointed out that Anthony Black could bring a defensive presence to an offensively focused backcourt, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be moved to a contender later. Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks per game in 2024-25, while shooting 42.6% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range and 90.2% from the free-throw line.
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