archiveOrlando Magic

DHJ Quick Take: Jeff Weltman Calls Magic's Giannis Antetokounmpo Talk a Compliment Orlando's president declined to address Giannis Antetokounmpo speculation directly, citing tampering rules, but said the attention reflects the talent on the Magic's roster. What did Weltman say? He won't discuss another team's player, but he takes the dark-horse...

DHJ Quick Take: Micah Nori Says He Hasn't Heard From the Mavericks in Their Coaching Search Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, one of the most sought-after candidates on the market, said he has had no contact with the Dallas Mavericks about their head coaching opening, calling the search still very...

DHJ Quick Take: Three Trade Targets the Dallas Mavericks Could Pursue With the No. 9 Pick After landing the ninth pick instead of a second straight lottery jump, the Dallas Mavericks may be better off flipping the selection for a veteran to pair with Cooper Flagg. Why might the Mavericks...

DHJ Quick Take: The Orlando-Brooklyn Trade Proposal Brooklyn’s High-Upside Gamble: For the Nets, this is the ultimate "buy-low" opportunity on a former #1 overall pick. Banchero’s inefficiency is a concern, but his 6-foot-10 frame and three-level scoring potential give Brooklyn a legitimate centerpiece to build around alongside rookie Drake Powell....

DHJ Quick Take Orlando's Pursuit: The Orlando Magic emerged as an aggressive suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo leading up to the 2026 trade deadline, fueled by the presence of front-office executives Jeff Weltman and John Hammond, the latter of whom originally drafted Giannis for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. Contractual Ultimatum:...

DHJ Quick Take: The Disney World Blockbuster The Banchero Pivot: For the Milwaukee Bucks, moving Giannis Antetokounmpo is the hardest decision in franchise history. However, acquiring Paolo Banchero provides a blue-chip prospect to sell to the fanbase. While Banchero has faced inconsistency since his 2022 selection, his ceiling remains higher...

DHJ Quick Take: The Veteran Crossroads The Timeline Clash: When Klay Thompson signed a 3-year, $50 million contract with Dallas in 2024, it was to play alongside Luka Dončić. Following the blockbuster Anthony Davis-Dončić swap, Dallas has shifted focus to Cooper Flagg. At 37, Thompson’s efficiency (38.3% from 3) is...

DHJ Quick Take: The Rookie Showdown The Flagg Volume: Cooper Flagg (21.0 PPG) led all rookies in scoring, punctuated by his 51-point masterpiece against the Orlando Magic. As the youngest player in the NBA, his late-season surge (29 PPG in the final month) proved he could carry an elite offensive...

DHJ Quick Take: Targets to Consider The Flagg Foundation: Despite a 12th-place finish (26-56), the "Information Gain" from the 2025-26 season is the historic arrival of Cooper Flagg. After dropping 51 points on the Magic in April and setting the teenage scoring record, Flagg (21.1 PPG) has validated Nico Harrison's...

DHJ Quick Take: Magic vs. Mavericks Historic Individual Brilliance, Collective Struggle: Cooper Flagg delivered the greatest scoring performance by a teenager in NBA history, dropping 51 points on 19-of-30 shooting. However, the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t overcome an Orlando Magic offense that carved them up for 35 assists and 138 points,...