3. Orlando Magic
Alongside the Brooklyn Nets, the top candidate to steal D'Angelo Russell away from the Los Angeles Lakers is the Orlando Magic. Orlando is coming off of a monumental season in which it reached the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20 and won its most regular games since 2010-11.
As Markelle Fultz enters unrestricted free agency, however, the Magic could have cap space and the need to add a point guard in his place.
Orlando has three major cap holds that it may ultimately renounce: Fultz at $25.5 million, Gary Harris at $19.5 million, and Chuma Okeke at $15.8 million. Already among the top 10 teams in available cap space, the Magic would be able to sign Russell directly if they wanted to.
As for why Orlando would have interest in Russell, it comes down to the fact that he's a near identical fit to their current needs at the point guard position.
Despite its success, Orlando has a number of glaring flaws that need to be addressed this offseason. That starts with the fact that the Magic ranked dead last in the NBA in three-point field goals made and 24th in three-point field goal percentage—while Russell averaged 3.0 three-point field goals made on 41.5 percent shooting.
Add the fact that Orlando ranked 28th in assists per game and 25th in assist ratio, while Russell has averaged 6.5 assists over the past six seasons, and the fit is clear.
If Russell accepts his player option instead of entering free agency, Cole Anthony could be an interesting option for potential trade discussions.