The Orlando Magic is coming off a kind of disappointing season. While the Magic made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the second time since the early 2000s, they won six fewer games than they had the previous year and were ousted in the first round. A significant reason the Magic’s campaign went awry was the play of their backcourt, which is why they have been linked to multiple guards, including Anfernee Simons.

Orlando entered the 2024-25 campaign with the intention of improving upon their previous season. However, the Magic dealt with several injuries to players in the rotation, with starters Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner missing significant time. As a result, the Magic finished the season 41-41 and were dispatched by Boston in five games.

Banchero, Suggs, and Wagner only started six contests together this season, and the Magic went 4-2 in those games.  The Magic was 20-15 in the 35 games that Suggs played and 33-27 in the contests that Wagner was active. The problem was when Suggs didn’t play.

Orlando had one of the worst offenses in the league this season. The Magic were 27th in offensive rating and 28th in scoring, averaging 105.4 points per game. The Magic were also 27th in shooting percentage and last in both 3-pointers made (11.2) and 3-point percentage (31.8).  Additionally, they were also last with 23 assists.

While the Magic were about the same offensively with and without Suggs, they were much worse defensively. The Magic were about five points worse (106-to-111) in the games Suggs missed compared to when he played. Granted, the Magic finished second in defensive efficiency and were No. 1 in scoring defense (105.5).

Furthermore, Orlando struggled offensively in the playoffs despite having a healthy Banchero and Wagner. Banchero and Wagner were productive, but Wendell Carter was the only other player in double figures during the playoffs. The Magic averaged just 93.6 points a game during the playoffs, topping the 100-point mark once.

The Magic’s guards — Cory Joseph, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, Gary Harris, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope —  were a total nonfactor in their five-game series against Boston. They combined for 27.5 points and 7.7 assists while shooting 39.5/26.4/75.8 against Boston.

Speaking of their guard play, Orlando’s backcourt was among the worst in the league. The Magic’s guards were last in the league in scoring and seventh worst in efficiency overall.

Improving Point Guard Position: A Priority For The Magic?

Suggs, a 2023-24 second-team All-NBA Defensive performer, was much more aggressive offensively. The 24-year-old combo guard, who suffered a season-ending quad injury, averaged a career-high 16.2 points per game, though he continues to struggle with efficiency and is not a true lead guard.

Joseph is a serviceable third-point guard, though he is a much better defender than the offensive player.  Black showed promise and continues to grow, even though he is still just 21. However, similar to Joseph and Suggs, his defense is ahead of his offensive game.

Anthony, known for his ability to provide instant offense, struggled this season as his role was reduced. Harris produced his worst season since his rookie campaign, while Caldwell-Pope was a total disappointment. Caldwell-Pope was okay defensively, but he struggled shooting the ball from deep — connecting on 1.5 treys at just a 34.2% clip.

This is likely why NBA Trade Report tweeted that the Magic are interested in Simons.

“Orlando has an interest in Portland’s Anfernee Simons. Magic looking for a clear upgrade at the PG position.”

Simons is a gifted offensive player. The 6-3 Longwood (Fla.) native, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, averaged 19.3 points and 3.1 three-pointers while shooting 42.6% from the field and  36.3% from deep this past season. He contributed 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds while committing 2.0 turnovers a game.

Simons is an electric three-level scorer who scored 20 or more points 38 times this season, topping the 30-point mark on nine occassions.  A high-volume three-point shooter, Simons averages 2.5 triples a game for his career at a 38.1% clip. The 26-year-old has also developed into an excellent playmaker and creator, not only for himself, and doesn’t turn the ball over much.

So, while Simons would enhance the Magic’s offense, there is a question about his defense. Simons has improved defensively throughout his career and does a solid job on the perimeter. Still, he is a liability on that end. For comparison for Magic fans, think of a bigger and more skilled Cole Anthony.

Simons has one year and $27.67 million left on his deal with the Trail Blazers. Simons is extension eligible. However, Portland has numerous roster decisions to make this summer and next. They also haven’t made the playoffs in the last four seasons. So, the Blazers may decide to make changes.

“Anfernee Simons is eligible for an extension that feels like a rubber meets the road moment for the Blazers and Simons,” NBA Insider Zach Lowe recently said. “I think there’d be teams that would be interested in Simons. The Favorite fake trade for like three years has been Simons to the Magic.”

Orlando has 15 players under contract, with a salary cap hit of $199.36 million for the 2025-26 season. The Magic do have some flexibility. Moritz Wagner ($11 million) has a team option that will likely be exercised. Harris ($7.5 million), Joseph ($3.4 million), Caleb Houstan ($2.1 million) have team options.

It is unlikely that Orlando will exercise Harris, Joseph, or Houstan’s options as they are looking to take the next step. Unless the Magic plan on using the players in trades.  The Magic own two first-round picks this year (No. 16 and No. 25) and their own first-rounder from 2027-2031. They also have 13 second-round picks to use in deals.

Here is a trade that Andrew Cherico of Sports Illustrated proposed for the Magic to acquire Simons: Cherico said that the Magic could send Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, Houstan and the No. 16 pick in the upcoming draft to the Trail Blazers for  Simons and a 2029 draft pick.

According to Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, the Magic are now willing to trade Anthony and Isaac after deciding to go the cohesion route last year. Isaac is a talented rim protector and rebounder but not a significant factor offensively. The 27-year-old big has four years and $69 million left on his extension that he signed last July, though the previous two seasons are not guaranteed. Anthony has two seasons with $26.2 million left on his deal.

This trade makes sense for the Magic and possibly works for the Blazers. By making this trade, the Magic would decrease their cap by $2.6 million, while the Blazers would increase their cap by $2.6 million.