The Detroit Pistons will explore every option when it comes to the 5th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
There have already been reports that Detroit is “aggressively” seeking a trade that would land them a proven player or another pick in the 1st round.
Detroit is at the turning point where they want to pivot towards being competitive, so trading for a proven player instead of adding another teenager does make some sense.
But so does adding more young talent, especially if Detroit gets the chance to add two lottery picks instead of one.
Enter the Orlando Magic.
This Draft trade between Pistons and Magic could happen
The Orlando Magic have two picks in the lottery, their own, and the one owed to them by the Chicago Bulls, who low-key made one of the worst trades in recent memory to acquire Nikola Vucevic, sending the Magic Wendall Carter, Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks. Oops.
But the Magic already have a strong young core, and like the Pistons, will look to at least make the play-in next season. They too may be looking to add more veteran talent and according to recent reports, are not necessary interested in two more rookies.
According to HoopsHype the Magic are a team that could look to use those picks to jump into the top-5 of the 2023 NBA Draft:
"“There’s a belief around the league that Orlando is open to moving the No. 6 and No. 11 picks if the Magic can move into the 3-5 range.”"
The Magic either have a particular player in mind that they don’t think is going to drop to six, or just don’t want to add two more rookies to a roster that is already loaded with young talent.
The Detroit Pistons also have two picks (5 and 31) and could be the perfect candidate to help the Magic move up.