NBA Trade Rumors: Magic, Cole Anthony, Timberwolves, Clippers

Our ongoing series evaluating rosters and potential moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline (Feb. 6) …

Orlando Magic

The big question: Who’s the odd man out? With 12 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game, Orlando is in a tough spot.

The Magic have Cole Anthony, Caleb Houstan, and Cory Joseph as the only ones not playing major roles, and they need to create a roster spot for a player bought out or traded, as relayed by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Anthony could have value after his three-year, $39 million extension, but Gary Harris might be the bigger trade target. His shooting is a plus, but his injury history could scare teams off.

The Magic also have a strong set of controllable contracts and young talent like Anthony Black, Jett Howard, and Moritz Wagner. They’re poised to make a move if the right player becomes available, but that might mean parting with a veteran like Harris. The real question: Can they balance the roster while keeping their long-term vision intact?

The Magic have their own first-round picks for the next seven years, plus a host of second-round picks they could move if needed. With an $8 million exception and plenty of cap space, they’re in a strong position to add the right pieces.

The issue will be balancing the short-term need for a roster spot and the long-term strategy of developing their young core.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The big question: Are tough roster decisions on the horizon? Minnesota’s situation is tricky with several key players set to hit free agency.

Julius Randle and Naz Reid both have player options, and if they opt in, the Timberwolves are looking at a potential luxury tax nightmare in 2025-26.

If Minnesota wants to avoid that, some tough decisions need to be made. Rob Dillingham‘s strong play could make guys like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo expendable.

Alexander-Walker is on an expiring $4.3M deal, and DiVincenzo hasn’t been a good fit since coming over from New York. But DiVincenzo does have a team-friendly deal for the next two years, so could they find a trade partner for him?

With a loaded payroll and not much draft control, Minnesota’s flexibility is limited. If they want to stay competitive and make a run this year, they’ll need to make some bold moves—whether that’s holding onto Reid and Randle or finding a way to shed some salary.

Los Angeles Clippers

The big question: Will they make a move or stand pat? The Clippers have a lot of talent, but they’re running out of time to make things work.

Kawhi Leonard’s return timeline is unclear, and the team is sitting just above the luxury tax. Can they afford to make a trade for a player like a backup center or shooting wing?

The good news is they’ve got assets like Bones Hyland’s expiring contract and the ability to aggregate contracts for a player earning up to $18 million.

But the Clippers need more than just roster filler. A backup center behind Ivica Zubac is a must—someone who can contribute now, not just in the future.

As for Terance Mann, he could be part of a trade that adds shooting to the bench. But is that the right move?

With Leonard’s uncertain timeline, the Clippers may be better off pushing all their chips in this season and making a big swing. Otherwise, they risk wasting another year of championship contention.