:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67813209/1229645296.0.jpg)
The Orlando Magic have made a trade...just not the kind many were hoping for.
Josh Robbins of The Athletic was first to report that the Magic agreed to deal their second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for two future second-round picks.
The future second-round picks incoming to the Magic from the Bucks will be a second-round pick owed to the Bucks from the Pacers in either 2022, 2023 or 2024 AND the Bucks' second-round pick in 2026. https://t.co/3juON1oPBk
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) November 18, 2020
We have acquired two future second-round draft picks from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the 45th overall pick in tonight's #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/aKCvova78O
— The Orlando (@OrlandoMagic) November 18, 2020
It’s somewhat of a head-scratcher for the Magic, who in recent years have made an annual tradition of undervaluing second-round picks. For the fifth straight draft, the Magic have unloaded a second-rounder, forgoing an opportunity to find hidden value on a non-guaranteed contract. While it’s a rare find, it seems worth a shot.
While the Magic hope to have the No. 15 pick and fellow rookie Chuma Okeke joining the rotation, dealing their second-round pick is particularly confusing this year when there remain five to seven roster spots to fill (including two-way contracts) and limited financial flexibility to do so.
Hopefully it is part of a larger plan.