Overview
- Orlando has contacted multiple teams about swapping reserve guard Tyus Jones for second-round draft picks, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
- Jones, on a one-year $7 million contract, has averaged 3.2 points and 2.4 assists in 16.5 minutes across 40 games while shooting 35.3% from the field and 29.5% from three.
- The Magic are about $5.6 million over the luxury tax line and could seek to duck the tax before the deadline to postpone the repeater clock by a year.
- Rising costs trace to major deals for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, with payroll further elevated by acquiring Desmond Bane and his max extension.
- Fischer also notes broader Eastern Conference chatter, including the Pistons gauging Jaden Ivey’s market, Pacers interest in Onyeka Okongwu, rivals viewing the Raptors as active, and Sixers-Grizzlies talks that did not involve Ja Morant.