The Portland Trail Blazersâ rebuild has been patient â and painfully deliberate. But according to a new proposal from Bleacher Reportâs Greg Swartz, thereâs one bold move that could accelerate everything: trading for Orlando Magic wing Franz Wagner.
Swartz listed Wagner as Portlandâs âambitious trade targetâ in his latest feature, arguing that the Blazers âare in need of an offensive alphaâ after no player on the roster averaged more than 20 points last season. With Anfernee Simons now in Boston, Portlandâs scoring hierarchy remains undefined. Wagner â who averaged 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 2024â25 â could change that immediately.
âIf the Orlando Magic donât like the long-term fit between Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, the former could thrive as a No. 1 option in Portland,â Swartz wrote.
The Orlando Question: Can Wagner and Banchero Coexist?
The idea stems from a growing question around Orlandoâs core â can Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero truly thrive together? Their skill sets overlap in ways that echo the old Jayson TatumâJaylen Brown dilemma in Boston: two versatile scorers sharing the same real estate on the floor.
The Magicâs recent offseason only added fuel to the speculation. By acquiring Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones while extending Jalen Suggs on a five-year, $150 million deal, Orlando reinforced its backcourt and doubled down on a win-now roster. But that move could also shift Wagnerâs role further off the ball â potentially limiting the offensive freedom that helped him blossom last season.
If the Magic stumble early or feel the need to balance their roster, Wagner could emerge as the odd man out. And thatâs where Portland comes in.
Why the Fit Makes Sense for Portland
At just 24 years old, Wagner fits perfectly within Portlandâs young timeline. Pairing him with Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara would give the Blazers one of the leagueâs most versatile forward trios â each capable of guarding multiple positions and creating offensively in transition.
Avdija took a major leap last season, averaging 15.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting nearly 39 percent from three. Camara, meanwhile, established himself as a defensive force, earning All-NBA Defensive Second Team honors while hitting 37.5 percent from deep.
Add Wagnerâs dynamic scoring and secondary playmaking, and Portland would suddenly have the foundation of a modern, switch-heavy lineup that can both stretch the floor and attack mismatches. Behind them, Donovan Clingan anchors the paint after a promising rookie year, and rookie Yang Hansen brings developmental upside as a skilled seven-footer.
This kind of lineup construction would give head coach Chauncey Billups exactly what heâs been searching for â a two-way identity centered around wings who can play, defend, and create.
The Problem: Price Tag and Assets
Of course, thereâs one glaring issue. Portland doesnât have the trade ammo to easily make this deal happen. Their most valuable pick asset â Orlandoâs own 2028 first-rounder from the Memphis trade â would be difficult to leverage back to the Magic without including young talent.
Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are off the table. Donovan Clingan isnât going anywhere, either. That leaves limited mid-tier assets â perhaps a package built around Jrue Holidayâs contract and future picks â but even that feels light for a player of Wagnerâs caliber.
For Orlando, unless the return includes a surefire young cornerstone, thereâs little incentive to move a 24-year-old forward who just delivered a career year and starred at EuroBasket.
Final Word
The Blazers have the need â and the vision â for a player like Franz Wagner. Heâs the kind of centerpiece who could elevate their rebuild from potential to purpose. But the cost, both in assets and opportunity, might keep this idea in the realm of fantasy.
Still, if Portland wants to fast-track its rise back to relevance, itâs moves like this â not marginal ones â that could eventually define the next era of Rip City basketball.
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