The Orlando Magic may look into breaking up its core this offseason.
The Magic are set to pay $155 million in salary to the quartet of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs next season. The last name on that list is reportedly considered “the odd man out” of the group.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, rival executives believe Suggs will be available in the trade market. With the extension of fellow guard Anthony Black looming and the new second apron restrictions crippling cash-strapped teams from making upgrades, the Magic has several reasons to consider trading the veteran guard.
Rival executives view Jalen Suggs as a trade candidate for the Magic due to Anthony Black’s upcoming extension.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 3, 2026
With Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Black, Suggs will soon be the odd man out due to apron restrictions.
Suggs is on a descending salary through 2030. pic.twitter.com/xuXrSC31Kw
Since he arrived in 2023, Suggs has been the beating heart of the Magic’s defense. He’s also become a fan favorite for his all-out play whenever he’s on the court.
But those intangibles weren’t enough to cover up his lack of production during his team’s seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons. Suggs scored just 11.1 points per game on a ghastly 29.9 percent from the field.
Suggs’ three-point shot deserted him, tallying a 13/54 (24.1%) shooting clip from distance across 7 games. If Suggs’ outside shot isn’t falling, it’s hard to see him thriving in an offense that already has a pair of non-shooters in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Paolo Banchero was vocal after Game 7 that the Magic just aren’t good enough to win a title as currently constructed. Moving on from Suggs and potentially head coach Jamahl Mosley all appear to be on the table for Orlando.
