2) The Magic are a point guard away and Trae Young could be the answer
Much of the talk around the Orlando Magic revolves around needing another scorer to complement Paolo Banchero next season. But a closer look at the roster reveals the lack of a true table-setter.
The Magic snapped a three-year playoff drought with Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz running the point. All of them are markedly better scorers than facilitators.
There are few better than Young in that regard.
It can get lost amid the discourse around his reputation league-wide. But Young led the league in total assists two years in a row, in addition to leading in total points during the 2021-22 campaign.
He is also a pick-and-roll maestro. Pairing him with Banchero could take both players to new heights.
The same goes for whatever remaining pieces Orlando has.
A lineup featuring Young, Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs could be interesting for Orlando. Orlando can generate the cap space to mitigate the need to match salaries in a potential deal for Young.
Atlanta could take a chance on an expiring contract in Jonathan Isaac and a feisty backup guard in Cole Anthony.
Anthony has two years plus a club option left on his contract.
The Hawks could also pursue 2023 first-round pick Anthony Black in lieu of draft capital. Either Anthony or Black would form a feisty backup backcourt with the Hawks’ 2023 first-round pick, Kobe Bufkin.
The drawback is trading Young to a division rival means seeing him more frequently during the regular season.