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Insider Says 1 NBA Team Has Been Quietly Aggressive On Trade Market
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/insider-says-1-nba-team-has-been-quietly-aggressive-on-trade-market/
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
It’s been a roller-coaster season for the Orlando Magic.
Even after losing Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to injury, they have managed to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Now, they’re reportedly looking to bolster their chances.
The Magic could certainly use either of those players, starting with Fox, the Sacramento Kings star.
Jalen Suggs is an elite backcourt defender and a formidable perimeter player defensively, but the Magic needs additional playmaking and scoring from the point guard position, and Anthony Black may not be fully prepared at this time.
As for Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, he fits the bill as another lengthy and switchable forward who can knock down shots from all three levels.
The Magic can be a real nuisance on defense when they’re at their best, and their mix of youth and talent should make them a difficult team to face for years ahead.
Then again, things won’t be easy in the Eastern Conference, and as such, Orlando might still need to make a couple of tweaks to its lineup to get into the playoffs.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hasn’t given them the 3-and-D veteran they hoped to have when they signed him, and he might be one of the odd men out when the Magic decide to make a move.
The post Insider Says 1 NBA Team Has Been Quietly Aggressive On Trade Market appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/insider-says-1-nba-team-has-been-quietly-aggressive-on-trade-market/
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Magic Are Showing Trade Interest In Nets Veteran
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-are-showing-trade-interest-in-nets-veteran/
(Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets have a 15-33 record and sit in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, and by now, they have virtually no shot at reaching the play-in tournament.
They have already traded away a couple of their key contributors this season, and they’re expected to be sellers once again as the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.
Forward Cameron Johnson has been the subject of trade rumors for the last several months, and per NBACentral, the Orlando Magic are interested in acquiring him.
Johnson is the type of player who could make a significant difference for a number of teams across the league thanks to his multiple skill sets.
He’s averaging 19.4 points a game on 49.1 percent field-goal shooting and 41.9 percent from 3-point range, and he is also regarded as an excellent defender.
Orlando got off to a 15-7 start, which led many to think they were on the doorstep of becoming contenders, but they have fallen apart since, and they have fallen to seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-25 record.
While they’re third in defensive rating, they have major problems offensively — they’re 29th in offensive rating and last in points per game and pace.
Johnson would give them some much-needed offensive firepower alongside rising star Paolo Banchero and big man Franz Wagner, and at 28 years of age, he would give them a veteran who has been to the NBA Finals who is also young enough to be on roughly the same timeline as the rest of the roster.
However, it is thought that the Nets want multiple first-round draft picks for Johnson, so it remains to be seen if the Magic are willing and able to meet such a price.
The post Magic Are Showing Trade Interest In Nets Veteran appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-are-showing-trade-interest-in-nets-veteran/
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Analyst Names The ‘Hardest Playing Team’ In The NBA
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-names-the-hardest-playing-team-in-the-nba/
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
There are plenty of challenging teams in the NBA right now, but which one is doing the most and playing the toughest kind of basketball?
According to Brian Scalabrine, the choice is clear.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Scalabrine said the Orlando Magic are the “hardest playing team, by far, in the league.”
Scalabrine predicted that if the league was surveyed about which team is most difficult, the Magic would be at the top of the list.
He said:
This has been a long time coming for the Magic.
They have been putting together a strong roster for years.
They had to fight through season after season of being an afterthought and sitting toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Things are very different now, and they are the fourth-best team in their conference and have a 19-12 record.
While there might be teams that have better records, there is something about this Magic team that feels intangible and unstoppable at times.
They play with a level of energy and drive that can only be created by players who have something to prove and really believe in themselves.
They have the energy and they have the desire, but what will that lead to?
Even with all their enthusiasm and their brand of tough playing, there is tons of competition for the Magic.
The New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers all sit ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings.
With that being said, they took down the Celtics on Monday night, proving that they really aren’t afraid of anyone else.
The post Analyst Names The ‘Hardest Playing Team’ In The NBA appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-names-the-hardest-playing-team-in-the-nba/
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Magic Are Shopping Veteran Guard In Trade Market
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-are-shopping-veteran-guard-in-trade-market/
(Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images)
For years, the Orlando Magic have had a surplus of backcourt options.
Deciding not to bring Markelle Fultz back did not resolve that issue, especially since they added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the roster.
If anything, Anthony Black’s surge has given Jamahl Mosley a good problem to have.
That’s why it’s not surprising to see that someone has to go.
With that in mind, the Magic have decided to shop veteran PG Cole Anthony around the league, according to Evan Sidery of Forbes Sports.
The UNC product is averaging a career-low 11 minutes per game.
A former first-round pick, Anthony has never been able to establish himself as a consistent contributor, and he’s not a starting-caliber point guard in this league.
However, he’s a very talented three-level scorer who could be a solid offensive catalyst off the bench for contending teams that need backcourt depth.
The Magic have struggled with injuries this season, losing their two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, for long stretches.
Even so, they continue to be one of the best teams in the league, suffocating their opposition on the defensive end of the floor with their combination of length, athleticism, and switchability.
Anthony’s trade value in the market is unclear right now.
But given his youth and team-friendly salary, it wouldn’t be shocking to see multiple teams contacting the Magic to inquire about his availability and a potential transaction.
The post Magic Are Shopping Veteran Guard In Trade Market appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-are-shopping-veteran-guard-in-trade-market/
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Odds Show The Betting Favorite To Land De’Aaron Fox In Potential Trade
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/odds-show-the-betting-favorite-to-land-deaaron-fox-in-potential-trade/
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings have hit a rough patch during this 2024-25 NBA regular season, with the team having lost seven out of their last 10 games and seemingly on the verge of letting the season get out of control in terms of remaining in the playoff picture in a very competitive Western Conference.
With the Kings not working as currently constructed, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the team tries to shake things up ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 6, with one of their star players potentially heading elsewhere in the coming weeks.
Arguably, the most desirable player on the Kings roster at the moment is star point guard De’Aaron Fox, who could be the one player that teams around the league call Sacramento with the most interest.
After a poor start to the season with Paolo Banchero out with an injury, the Orlando Magic have been able to get back on track as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and the team could look to bolster its roster with a proven scorer like Fox, as Bovada has Orlando with the best odds to trade for the talented point guard via NBA Central.
The Magic are a defensive-minded basketball team and could use a scorer like Fox in the backcourt to help put points on the board.
However, it is uncertain what the Magic would be offering in return for Fox and whether it will impact their depth, but it is an interesting scenario for both teams that are focused on being playoff squads this season.
The post Odds Show The Betting Favorite To Land De’Aaron Fox In Potential Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/odds-show-the-betting-favorite-to-land-deaaron-fox-in-potential-trade/
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1 NBA Star Calls His Team ‘A Special Group’
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/1-nba-star-calls-his-team-a-special-group/
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic’s dynamic duo of Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs recently orchestrated a victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, with Wagner delivering a standout performance.
Shooting an impressive 12-of-23 from the field and converting a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line, Wagner scored 35 points.
It was his seventh 30-point game this season, improving his case for All-Star consideration.
The fourth-year player recently opened up about the Magic’s unique team chemistry.
The young forward doesn’t sugarcoat the NBA’s grueling nature as he candidly acknowledged the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with team goals.
What sets this Magic squad apart, according to Wagner, is their unwavering commitment to collective success over individual accolades.
He praised the organization for maintaining its core, recognizing how that continuity has forged an exceptional bond.
In the past 18 games, Wagner has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s averaging an impressive 25.3 points, 6.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 34.7 minutes per game.
With Paolo Banchero sidelined, Wagner has stepped up, emerging as Orlando’s primary offensive catalyst and playmaker.
Despite the increased workload, Wagner’s shooting efficiency remains remarkably consistent, a testament to his growing prowess and mental resilience.
His ability to maintain peak performance under pressure underscores why he’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA.
The post 1 NBA Star Calls His Team ‘A Special Group’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/1-nba-star-calls-his-team-a-special-group/
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Magic Veteran Is Reportedly Drawing Trade Interest
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-veteran-is-reportedly-drawing-trade-interest/
(Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic are the third-best team in the Eastern Conference right now, but they have their sights set on climbing to the top of the standings.
That means they may need to make a few adjustments to their roster and commit several trades.
According to Evan Sidery, center Goga Bitadze is “drawing trade interest on a career-best season for the Magic.”
Bitadze has been given more chances this season due to injuries on the team, which has helped brighten his star and raise his chances of being signed to another team.
Bitadze is averaging 8.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season, playing for about 22 minutes a night.
That’s a step up from last season when he averaged 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.
In Sunday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, Bitadze scored 12 points and 13 rebounds.
He also earned three steals and two blocks during the game.
This was yet another double-double for Bitadze, who has achieved that feat in six games this season, including in two of his last three games.
Because of the way he has improved this year and the amount of time he’s received on the court, the Magic could get a hefty haul in exchange for Bitadze in a trade.
There are several teams who would be happy to receive Bitadze’s skills and see their overall chances strengthen because of him.
The Magic have been a team to watch for the last several seasons, and they have naturally grown their roster into something special.
They are now toying with making a few trades in order to build upon the success they have found, and Bitadze could be a part of their plans.
The post Magic Veteran Is Reportedly Drawing Trade Interest appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-veteran-is-reportedly-drawing-trade-interest/
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Analyst Says 1 Young NBA Player Is Taking His Game To Another Level
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-says-1-young-nba-player-is-taking-his-game-to-another-level/
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
When the Orlando Magic recently lost their biggest star, Paolo Banchero, many people thought they’d enter a tough chapter of the season.
Instead, they have continued to win big games, and that’s partly thanks to Franz Wagner.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Frank Isola said that Wagner has taken his game to a different level lately.
He said the Magic are doing far better than expected, and Wagner is a central reason why.
The 23-year-old forward is averaging 23.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game in 2024-25, a step up from what he produced last year.
But beyond the numbers, Wagner is playing like a confident and proven team leader.
That’s because the Magic don’t have Banchero, who would be filling the role.
While some players shy away from such responsibilities, Wagner is embracing them, and the team is benefiting from that.
On Thursday night, Wagner scored 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers in a 119-118 win.
That was just the latest explosive game from the young star.
The Magic are the fourth seed in the East without their most celebrated player because other stars like Wagner are fighting harder than ever.
If he keeps playing like this when Banchero comes back, there is a very good chance the Magic will reach the playoffs and travel far in them.
He has been one of the most promising stars in the league for a few years, but Wagner really is evolving and developing before our very eyes this season.
The post Analyst Says 1 Young NBA Player Is Taking His Game To Another Level appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-says-1-young-nba-player-is-taking-his-game-to-another-level/
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Former Player Believes 1 Young NBA Team Is ‘Special’
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/former-player-believes-1-young-nba-team-is-special/
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The 2024-25 NBA season is finally here and teams like the Orlando Magic will be looking to take a next step as an organization.
The Magic are an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference as they’ve got a strong nucleus of young players Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.
This offseason, Orlando also decided to invest in the roster by signing veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to shore up its backcourt.
With wins in the first two games of the regular season, the Magic are looking like a legitimate threat in the East.
Although they might be considered a bit behind teams the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, teams are no longer sleeping on them.
Former NBA player Rick Mahorn recently talked about the Magic and believes they’re heading in the right direction.
“I’ll tell you right now, that Orlando Magic team is special,” Mahorn said, via SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Mahorn explained that the addition of Caldwell-Pope motivates players to be more active on both sides of the court, but he also name-drops the Wagner brothers and Banchero.
Mahorn also discussed how Orlando is able to win in multiple ways, which is usually a sign of a good team in the league.
All in all, it’s hard not to be high on the Magic, who took the time to draft and develop the right players while making shrewd signings to give themselves the best chance to compete.
The post Former Player Believes 1 Young NBA Team Is ‘Special’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/former-player-believes-1-young-nba-team-is-special/
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Magic Star Gets Big Contract Extension Before Deadline
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-star-gets-big-contract-extension-before-deadline/
(Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic were one of the surprise teams in the NBA during the 2023-24 season, with the team coming into its own as some of their players took their games to another level, like Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.
Although it wasn’t all that surprising to see Banchero become an All-Star and the undisputed leader of the Magic last season, Suggs becoming one of the best perimeter defenders in the league has been surprising and a promising sign for Orlando’s chance of being a title contender for the foreseeable future.
The team has assembled a winning combination of players headlined by Banchero, Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and veteran newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and now they’ve secured the long-term future of one of their best starters.
Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Magic signed Suggs to a massive contract extension ahead of the league’s deadline, as he’ll get paid $30 million annually on a five-year deal worth $150.5 million, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Last season, the Magic went from a team perenially looking at the NBA Draft because of poor records to one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference that might now be a perennial playoff team.
With Suggs and Caldwell-Pope being the starting point guard and shooting guard in Orlando, the Magic have one of the best defensive backcourts in the league and are in the conversation for being one of the best defensive teams in the league heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
The post Magic Star Gets Big Contract Extension Before Deadline appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/magic-star-gets-big-contract-extension-before-deadline/
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Wild Stat Emerges About Mac McClung’s Career Earnings
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/wild-stat-emerges-about-mac-mcclungs-career-earnings/
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
For years, fans have complained about the quality — or lack thereof — of the All-Star Game and its events.
The 3-Point Shooting Contest has shockingly become the main attraction, and the once-cherished Slam Dunk Contest has been more of an afterthought.
Fortunately for the league and the fans, Mac McClung is there.
The high-flying combo guard has come to the rescue for the past three years, and that was the case again on Saturday night.
Notably, the financial incentives make it quite an appealing event for McClung.
As shown by Legion Hoops on X, McClung has made a grand total of $132,000 as a player, and he’s made $310,000 for winning three Slam Dunk Contests.
Wild: Mac McClung has made more money from dunk contests than he’s made in his NBA career:
Dunk contest earnings – $310K
NBA career earnings – $132K
(via @keerthikau) pic.twitter.com/l5OMsxfHNt
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 16, 2025
Truth be told, the league should make sure that he’s always on an NBA roster by the time All-Star Weekend comes, as they can use him as an insurance policy to save the day.
McClung has become a fan favorite, but he hasn’t been able to establish himself in the league.
He’s spent most of his time in the G-League, and barring a major turn of events, he won’t get much playing time.
This season, he’s only played a grand total of five minutes with the Orlando Magic.
As great a dunker as he is, he’s not a good defender or big enough to make up for that with his three-level scoring.
But if things don’t work out for him in the league, maybe he can make a living out of these yearly cameos.
The fans will certainly welcome him with open arms.
The post Wild Stat Emerges About Mac McClung’s Career Earnings appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/wild-stat-emerges-about-mac-mcclungs-career-earnings/
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Video Shows Mac McClung Working At Fast Food Restaurant After Winning Dunk Contest
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-s...t-food-restaurant-after-winning-dunk-contest/
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Mac McClung has earned three times more from Slam Dunk contests than he has as an NBA player.
That’s why it’s only right that he seizes every opportunity to capitalize on his recent success and attention.
With that in mind, fast food restaurant chain Raising Cane’s got him to serve their customers in the drive-thru.
Mac McClung working at Raising Cane's after winning the dunk contestpic.twitter.com/vTtn5OeDhA
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 19, 2025
Yahoo Sports shared a hilarious clip of the three-time Slam Dunk contest winner serving orders.
Following the contest, the fans joked that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver owed McClung a lot of money for single-handedly saving All-Star Weekend three years in a row.
Even so, it shouldn’t have to be that way.
With all due respect to McClung, who’s a rightful and deserving winner and who might even beat NBA superstars, the fans don’t want to see G-League players during All-Star Weekend.
Ja Morant recently claimed that McClung’s explosive dunks made him want to participate in the Slam Dunk contest next year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was also on board with the idea, and Morant reached out to Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine as well.
Now, that’s a Slam Dunk contest.
Of course, McClung has also earned a right to defend his title and show how he can hold his own against some of the best in-game dunkers in the league.
Hopefully, the NBA will find a way to convince the players to actually give the fans what they want to see, just like it used to be years ago.
The post Video Shows Mac McClung Working At Fast Food Restaurant After Winning Dunk Contest appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-s...t-food-restaurant-after-winning-dunk-contest/