Suns Acquire Three Second Round Picks From Magic For First Round Pick Swap

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Phoenix Suns continue to replenish their draft pick coffers, after trading most of their picks in the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal deals. The Suns latest deal to add future picks was with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando is sending Phoenix three second-round picks in exchange for the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. 2026 is one of the few remaining Suns first-round picks that they own outright.

Phoenix had previously worked a similar deal with the Memphis Grizzlies to add three second-round picks. That brings Phoenix to a total of six second-round selections added over the last two weeks.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[LakersLegacy]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

[FeatheryTouch]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

[Audi]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

To help make sense:

1. The picks are from the bottom of the second rounder barrel. Magic have 8 1sts and 12 2nds over the next 7 years. With a FO that historically finds little value in 2nds (usually trading for ‘cash considerations’), it’s safe to say the picks won’t be missed.

2. The Magic can always trade the pick. A first round pick with the option of a swap is inherently more valuable than a first without. Orlando consolidated 3 of their worst future 2nds to increase the value of their 2026 1st, which could be packaged for the exact type of player they find that they need by that point, after another season of evaluating their young talent and consolidating their core around Wagner & Banchero.

3. Doubtful that ORL is still a lottery team in 2026. They would’ve made it solidly in the play-in this last season if not for a ~20 game season start plagued with injuries leading to guardless rosters.

[FeatheryTouch]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

To help make sense:

1. The picks are from the bottom of the second rounder barrel. Magic have 8 1sts and 12 2nds over the next 7 years. With a FO that historically finds little value in 2nds (usually trading for ‘cash considerations’), it’s safe to say the picks won’t be missed.

2. The Magic can always trade the pick. A first round pick with the option of a swap is inherently more valuable than a first without. Orlando consolidated 3 of their worst future 2nds to increase the value of their 2026 1st, which could be packaged for the exact type of player they find that they need by that point, after another season of evaluating their young talent and consolidating their core around Wagner & Banchero.

3. Doubtful that ORL is still a lottery team in 2026. They would’ve made it solidly in the play-in this last season if not for a ~20 game season start plagued with injuries leading to guardless rosters.

1) These facts are an indictment of the franchise and don't inspire faith that Orlando made a good decision here. How about packaging those picks with another asset for a trade that actually has a concrete chance of improving the team rather than this low % gamble?

2) How much exactly did the Magic increase the value of that first rounder if that swap has a poor chance of ever being activated? They could have just packaged that first with the 3 2nd rounders (which are a more certain commodity) while the swap is an highly uncertain one. Don't forget, if the Suns remain good(likely) and the Magic aren't better than Phoenix in a few years(also likely) then that swap becomes useless. If I'm another team trading with the Magic, a 1st round pick plus 3 2nd round picks sounds more appealing than a first round pick with a low %/low value swap attached to it.

3)Ok, let's assume that Orlando is improving and is no longer a lottery team in a few years. I actually agree with you here, they seem to be improving. But are they going to be better than the Suns though? Eh...that's a much harder sell. Phoenix has multiple stars on long term deals and a new owner that is willing to spend. And if the Magic aren't better than the Suns, what exactly is the value of that swap?

[magicsanta]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

r u both kiddin'?

1) The 2nd rounders have what? a 10% chance of producing a contributor and a 1% chance of producing a starter?
2) In 2026 Durant will be 37 and this Suns team makes no sense, they may even be rebuilding by then. See Nets' process, even them were more functional ex ante than this Suns. Also it's the season that matters here. Did you check how many games these 3 stars miss per year? Do you project that to get any better for the 25-26 season?
3) On the other hand the Magic project to be competitive by then
4) They gave away nothing and got a probable swap, and a chance at a lottery pick.

[Exp0sed]

Seems like a steep price as the Suns should be contenders and the Magic in the lotto

Does the pick swap roll over to the next available year 2031?

3 seconds for something likely not to convey?

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

To help make sense:

1. The picks are from the bottom of the second rounder barrel. Magic have 8 1sts and 12 2nds over the next 7 years. With a FO that historically finds little value in 2nds (usually trading for ‘cash considerations’), it’s safe to say the picks won’t be missed.

2. The Magic can always trade the pick. A first round pick with the option of a swap is inherently more valuable than a first without. Orlando consolidated 3 of their worst future 2nds to increase the value of their 2026 1st, which could be packaged for the exact type of player they find that they need by that point, after another season of evaluating their young talent and consolidating their core around Wagner & Banchero.

3. Doubtful that ORL is still a lottery team in 2026. They would’ve made it solidly in the play-in this last season if not for a ~20 game season start plagued with injuries leading to guardless rosters.

1.) PHX is going all-in on their interpertation of how the new CBA is gonna play out in regards to 2nd rd picks
i.e, the ability to go over the cap to sign your own 2nd rounders

if they are correct in their gamble, they will have loads of a very valuable resource and by then other teams will catch up and will be intrerested in giving back actual value for 2nd rounders

2.) why do u assume that Orlando will be competitive? their only competitive teams since the expansion, revolved around a few select superstars. the current regime's draft picks have been pretty bad all in all.

Isaac was the only solid pick who had actual star potential (tho not superstar potential) and it's unlucky his career has been rerailed by injuries

the Jury's still out on Banchero, but I don't see him as anything special or a true future franchise player even in 2026, same goes for Franz who posters on this board keep touting since their rookie season over Mobley, Barnes etc
he's a nice complimentary player and at best will be a decent number #2 with questionable defense

in the last 10-11 years since trading Dwight (their last true superstar) the Magic have made the playoffs twice and have 0 playoff series wins. they were touted as the big winners of that blockbuster trade for getting Afflalo, Harrington, Vucevic, Harkless and 3 FRPS. what came of these 3 Frps? what came of all these mediocore players? just a play-in team basically (before there was a play-in obviously) and the same will probably come of this group they have now

in short, I think it's a pretty tall order to assume they'll be competitive in 2026, maybe they will but more likely that they won't

Celtics, Indy, Cavs, Knicks, Bucks, Hawks etc. should all still be good to elite even in 2-3 years time and u just know teams like Miami would find ways to stay competitive even after their aging star declines. it's a crapshoot for all the rebuilding teams like Charlotte, Wiz, Pistons, Raps, Bulls etc. but we can assume a couple of these will bink of their drafts and player development and roster moves and be competitive

so in reality, unless Banchero or the Wagner's turn into actual stars - there is no immediate path for the Magic to be more than a play-in team even in a couple years time and judging by their FO's track record - i'd def bet against it personally

[ReddOktober]

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

To help make sense:

1. The picks are from the bottom of the second rounder barrel. Magic have 8 1sts and 12 2nds over the next 7 years. With a FO that historically finds little value in 2nds (usually trading for ‘cash considerations’), it’s safe to say the picks won’t be missed.

2. The Magic can always trade the pick. A first round pick with the option of a swap is inherently more valuable than a first without. Orlando consolidated 3 of their worst future 2nds to increase the value of their 2026 1st, which could be packaged for the exact type of player they find that they need by that point, after another season of evaluating their young talent and consolidating their core around Wagner & Banchero.

3. Doubtful that ORL is still a lottery team in 2026. They would’ve made it solidly in the play-in this last season if not for a ~20 game season start plagued with injuries leading to guardless rosters.

1.) PHX is going all-in on their interpertation of how the new CBA is gonna play out in regards to 2nd rd picks
i.e, the ability to go over the cap to sign your own 2nd rounders

if they are correct in their gamble, they will have loads of a very valuable resource and by then other teams will catch up and will be intrerested in giving back actual value for 2nd rounders

2.) why do u assume that Orlando will be competitive? their only competitive teams since the expansion, revolved around a few select superstars. the current regime's draft picks have been pretty bad all in all.

Isaac was the only solid pick who had actual star potential (tho not superstar potential) and it's unlucky his career has been rerailed by injuries

the Jury's still out on Banchero, but I don't see him as anything special or a true future franchise player even in 2026, same goes for Franz who posters on this board keep touting since their rookie season over Mobley, Barnes etc
he's a nice complimentary player and at best will be a decent number #2 with questionable defense

in the last 10-11 years since trading Dwight (their last true superstar) the Magic have made the playoffs twice and have 0 playoff series wins. they were touted as the big winners of that blockbuster trade for getting Afflalo, Harrington, Vucevic, Harkless and 3 FRPS. what came of these 3 Frps? what came of all these mediocore players? just a play-in team basically (before there was a play-in obviously) and the same will probably come of this group they have now

in short, I think it's a pretty tall order to assume they'll be competitive in 2026, maybe they will but more likely that they won't

Celtics, Indy, Cavs, Knicks, Bucks, Hawks etc. should all still be good to elite even in 2-3 years time and u just know teams like Miami would find ways to stay competitive even after their aging star declines. it's a crapshoot for all the rebuilding teams like Charlotte, Wiz, Pistons, Raps, Bulls etc. but we can assume a couple of these will bink of their drafts and player development and roster moves and be competitive

so in reality, unless Banchero or the Wagner's turn into actual stars - there is no immediate path for the Magic to be more than a play-in team even in a couple years time and judging by their FO's track record - i'd def bet against it personally

Very Well written. you should be a sports writer that was very good analysis.

[magicsanta]

Agreed. I really don't understand the deal from Orlando's point of view, you are giving away 3(!) picks to gamble on a small chance at improving your draft position a few slots in a couple of years when the Suns should still have a competitive team and there's no guarantee that Orlando will be good.

There's a very good possibility that the Magic gifted those 3 picks to the Suns for absolutely nothing in return.

To help make sense:

1. The picks are from the bottom of the second rounder barrel. Magic have 8 1sts and 12 2nds over the next 7 years. With a FO that historically finds little value in 2nds (usually trading for ‘cash considerations’), it’s safe to say the picks won’t be missed.

2. The Magic can always trade the pick. A first round pick with the option of a swap is inherently more valuable than a first without. Orlando consolidated 3 of their worst future 2nds to increase the value of their 2026 1st, which could be packaged for the exact type of player they find that they need by that point, after another season of evaluating their young talent and consolidating their core around Wagner & Banchero.

3. Doubtful that ORL is still a lottery team in 2026. They would’ve made it solidly in the play-in this last season if not for a ~20 game season start plagued with injuries leading to guardless rosters.

1.) PHX is going all-in on their interpertation of how the new CBA is gonna play out in regards to 2nd rd picks
i.e, the ability to go over the cap to sign your own 2nd rounders

if they are correct in their gamble, they will have loads of a very valuable resource and by then other teams will catch up and will be intrerested in giving back actual value for 2nd rounders

2.) why do u assume that Orlando will be competitive? their only competitive teams since the expansion, revolved around a few select superstars. the current regime's draft picks have been pretty bad all in all.

Isaac was the only solid pick who had actual star potential (tho not superstar potential) and it's unlucky his career has been rerailed by injuries

the Jury's still out on Banchero, but I don't see him as anything special or a true future franchise player even in 2026, same goes for Franz who posters on this board keep touting since their rookie season over Mobley, Barnes etc
he's a nice complimentary player and at best will be a decent number #2 with questionable defense

in the last 10-11 years since trading Dwight (their last true superstar) the Magic have made the playoffs twice and have 0 playoff series wins. they were touted as the big winners of that blockbuster trade for getting Afflalo, Harrington, Vucevic, Harkless and 3 FRPS. what came of these 3 Frps? what came of all these mediocore players? just a play-in team basically (before there was a play-in obviously) and the same will probably come of this group they have now

in short, I think it's a pretty tall order to assume they'll be competitive in 2026, maybe they will but more likely that they won't

Celtics, Indy, Cavs, Knicks, Bucks, Hawks etc. should all still be good to elite even in 2-3 years time and u just know teams like Miami would find ways to stay competitive even after their aging star declines. it's a crapshoot for all the rebuilding teams like Charlotte, Wiz, Pistons, Raps, Bulls etc. but we can assume a couple of these will bink of their drafts and player development and roster moves and be competitive

so in reality, unless Banchero or the Wagner's turn into actual stars - there is no immediate path for the Magic to be more than a play-in team even in a couple years time and judging by their FO's track record - i'd def bet against it personally

Dude, if you take the first 20 games of the season out of the question the Magic were already a playoff team last season what are you talking about?

[Exp0sed]

Dude, if you take the first 20 games of the season out of the question the Magic were already a playoff team last season what are you talking about?

bro, fwiw I have nothing againt the Magic I actually have a soft spot for you guys and would really like the Magic do well.
now when that's out of the way - seasons don't work like that...why throw the first 20 and not the rest? are the first 20 innately less indicative of their strength than any other chunk of the season?

they were trying to compete all thru the mid season while half the league was tanking for Wemby

the only thing they really have going for them is the fact their entire roster is very young (or just young-ish) so it's very feasible to expect internal improvement across the board. imo without one of their key guys taking a major leap, they would still find themselves out of the playoffs.

we'll see..

[NO-KG-AI]

I love how people assume every KD team will be competitive 3-4-5 years out, when he will probably demand out or be traded way before then.

If the Magic are still bad, the pick is still valuable. If the Suns implode or sink because of injuries to injury prone and aging stars, the pick is even more valuable.

I think it's more likely the Suns collapse before then, than it is that all 3 are still playing at a high level on 50 milliondollar contracts lol.

[magicsanta]

I love how people assume every KD team will be competitive 3-4-5 years out, when he will probably demand out or be traded way before then.

If the Magic are still bad, the pick is still valuable. If the Suns implode or sink because of injuries to injury prone and aging stars, the pick is even more valuable.

I think it's more likely the Suns collapse before then, than it is that all 3 are still playing at a high level on 50 milliondollar contracts lol.

Exactly! thanks

[magicsanta]

Dude, if you take the first 20 games of the season out of the question the Magic were already a playoff team last season what are you talking about?

bro, fwiw I have nothing againt the Magic I actually have a soft spot for you guys and would really like the Magic do well.
now when that's out of the way - seasons don't work like that...why throw the first 20 and not the rest? are the first 20 innately less indicative of their strength than any other chunk of the season?

they were trying to compete all thru the mid season while half the league was tanking for Wemby

the only thing they really have going for them is the fact their entire roster is very young (or just young-ish) so it's very feasible to expect internal improvement across the board. imo without one of their key guys taking a major leap, they would still find themselves out of the playoffs.

we'll see..

The point is the most recent sample has them already competitive. They may suck, but then again the suns may as well. And, by 2026, projecting the current realities, the latter is more probable than the former.

[magicsanta]

bro, fwiw I have nothing againt the Magic I actually have a soft spot for you guys and would really like the Magic do well.
now when that's out of the way - seasons don't work like that...why throw the first 20 and not the rest? are the first 20 innately less indicative of their strength than any other chunk of the season?

they were trying to compete all thru the mid season while half the league was tanking for Wemby

the only thing they really have going for them is the fact their entire roster is very young (or just young-ish) so it's very feasible to expect internal improvement across the board. imo without one of their key guys taking a major leap, they would still find themselves out of the playoffs.

we'll see..

The point is the most recent sample has them already competitive. They may suck, but then again the suns may as well. And, by 2026, projecting the current realities, the latter is more probable than the former.

This is aging well quite fast

[magicsanta]

EDIT: sorry I can't find how to delete this post

[magicsanta]

EDIT: sorry I can't find how to delete this post