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Days after the Orlando Magic sent Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors, their name is back up in trade talks, this time with the Detroit Pistons. According ESPN scribe Marc Stein, the Magic and Pistons have discussed a deal that would sent point guard Reggie Jackson to Orlando in exchange for D.J. Augustin, and Jeff Green.
Earlier this week, fellow ESPN writer Zach Lowe mentioned the Magic as one of a handful of teams talking with the Pistons regarding Jackson’s potential availability.
Making a move now for Jackson could make some sense for the Magic. As the season has grown later, it’s become more and more clear that Elfrid Payton isn’t the point guard of the future the Magic had hoped he would be. Adding Jackson, 26, to the mix would give the Magic a point guard, who’s locked up for the next three years, and is entering the prime years of his career.
Moving on from the likes of Augustin and Green would be a small price for the Magic to pay as well, considering the productivity level Jackson has shown he can produce at.
While adding Jackson now would give the Magic their point guard, and a likely boost to, potentially, make another run for a cherished playoff spot this season, it might not be their best option.
Currently sitting with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, and fourth worst record in the league overall, the Magic could be in a prime position to draft their point guard of the future in June’s draft. With three of the top-four picks likely to be point guards, the Magic could get someone who is younger, and would come cheaper thank Jackson on the front end.
As always, these are just talks. There’s no guarantee that the talks even got past the “we’ll offer you this for this” stage, or that they’ll reengage in those discussions over the next week.
The Magic will likely still be busy looking to improve their team now, and later, and while Jackson could do that, they should consider all their options first.
The Magic have a few positional needs, but few assets to make a deal.
Posted by Orlando Pinstriped Post on Friday, January 13, 2017