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Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends LaMelo Ball to Rising Eastern Conference Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 10:34 PM ET

The Orlando Magic's recent playoff appearance showed a bright future ahead for the organization. However, it also presented what the team is missing for them to contend. The most obvious need for the Magic is an upgrade in the point guard department.

Last season, they lost Jalen Suggs during the second half of the 2024-25 season due to a knee injury. Suggs was required to undergo surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the campaign. This became a problem for Orlando in the postseason, since they didn't have an elite ball handler.

In their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, the Magic relied on veteran guard Cory Joseph as their starting point guard.

With that concern, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report suggested a change for the Magic. Bailey believes the team will improve drastically if they try to pursue Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets would receive Suggs, Jett Howard and the No. 16 pick for the star point guard.

"His playmaking would help Orlando, but the bigger boost he could provide may be on the shooting front. His three-point percentage plummeted to 33.9 in 2024-25, but getting up more than 10 per game would change the geometry of the floor for the Magic," Bailey wrote.

Ball will fit well alongside the duo of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. They're all young and could develop as a Big 3 together. Orlando will be secure with their point guard for the future if they trade for the 6-foot-7 maestro.

The Hornets' star is signed through the 2028-29 NBA season with his five-year, $204 million contract.

However, one problem that the Magic could face is Ball's injury history. Last season, he was limited to 47 games due to ankle issues that required surgery. The season before that, he only played 22 games. During the 2022-23 campaign, the lead guard appeared in just 36 games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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