From Eric Pincus:
Can Bamba Solve the Grant Question?
The Magic and Pistons are the bottom two teams in the NBA. Neither franchise is committed to its current roster, although the Magic are playing without two key pieces, with Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz yet to play this year with knee injuries. Jalen Suggs (thumb) and Wendell Carter Jr. (hamstring) are also missing time.
Competing executives say Orlando is shopping Gary Harris and Terrence Ross, but several are curious what the Magic do with Mo Bamba. The young center is 10 starts away from reaching the criteria to lock in his qualifying offer as a restricted free agent at $10.1 million. Bamba may get at least as much as Carter, who signed a four-year, $50 million extension this past offseason.
Will Orlando commit to three bigs, with Isaac owed at least $52.2 million over the next three seasons?
As noted, the Pistons are believed to be targeting a big man with their projected cap room this summer. Deandre Ayton may be their primary target, but many around the league expect the Phoenix Suns to retain him despite failing to reach an extension with him before the season.
Perhaps the Pistons would prefer to acquire Bamba’s restricted rights before the deadline instead of testing the Magic’s willingness to match an offer sheet.
But the Magic may not covet Grant (who turns 28 in March) at $21.0 million next season. Grant is also believed to be expecting an extension starting at his maximum of $25.1 million for the 2023-24 season.
The solution could be a multi-team trade. Several playoff contenders have eyed Grant, including the Lakers.
Wing scorer Talen Horton-Tucker, 21, could make sense on the Magic. The Lakers would need to include Kendrick Nunn (probably to Detroit) and a minimum player like DeAndre Jordan or Kent Bazemore to match Grant’s salary.
Eric Pincus has a great eye on possible Lakers trades and is known for being reluctant to speculate about or predict trades. As a result, it’s interesting when he lays out the criteria for what could be a great 3-team trade that would net the Lakers Jerami Grant for THT, Kendrick Nunn, and DeAndre Jordan. Lakers keep their draft pick (maybe to use in a Russell Westbrook trade?) but get get the young bigger 3&D wing they coveted and needed.
What do you think?