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[Saba Sports News] Orlando’s early season success has taken a downturn, and they might be considering changes to regain their form. Marc Stein, a seasoned NBA journalist, recently shared on Substack that the Magic are open to trading guard Markelle Fultz before the February 8th deadline. Additionally, they are considering trading center Wendell Carter Jr. as well.
Fultz, aged 25, was the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, while Carter, 24, was the seventh pick in 2018. Both have missed significant time this season due to injuries, and during their absence, the Magic have developed an effective rotation. The new preferred point guard trio includes Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Anthony Black, with Goga Bitadze and Moe Wagner sharing center duties.
The Magic had a strong start with a 14-5 record, but their performance has since slipped to 7-13, including three straight losses. Both Carter and Fultz, particularly the latter with his $17 million expiring contract and recent improvements, are valuable assets for trades. Orlando may use them to acquire experienced players to help realign their season.