Timberwolves, Magic could be trade partners before the deadline

With the NBA trade deadline two weeks away, league executives continue to evaluate potential fits in all conferences. According to ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel, The Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic have emerged as possible trade partners as both franchises evaluate roster needs prior to February 5th.

Siegel reported Thursday that Minnesota is expected to look for help in the backfield.

“Everybody in the NBA knows the Minnesota Timberwolves want to add a point guard, and they are expected to make a point guard move before February 5th,” Siegel wrote. “Who it will be depends on the market, as Rob Dillingham and Mike Conley are their only real trade assets at the moment.”

Several guards have been linked to Minnesota in recent discussions, including Chicago Bulls players Kobe White, Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jonesalong with the Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk. Siegel added that Tyus Jones and Collin Sexton are also names league personnel have linked to the Timberwolves, though Charlotte has indicated it will seek significant value — either a draft pick or a young prospect — in any Sexton deal.

Minnesota’s urgency stems from its positioning in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves enter Thursday at 27-17, sitting seventh in the standings and looking for consistency after losing three straight games. They will look to stop that slide when they host the Chicago Bulls (21-22) at 8:00 PM ET to open a three-game homestand.

Magic, Timberwolves emerge as potential trade partners ahead of deadline

On the other side of the prospect equation, Orlando makes its own financial and roster considerations. Siegel reported that the Magic are open to moving more parts of the rotation as they weigh short-term upgrades against long-term payroll flexibility.

“The Orlando Magic have recently been said to be open to moving Tyus Jones, Goga Bitadze and/or Jonathan Isaac before this season’s trade deadline,” Siegel wrote. “Bitadze is an intriguing center who could get multiple second-round picks in a trade and free up salary for the 2026-27 season.”

Siegel added that Orlando could fall under the luxury tax by taking less salary in the deal while still upgrading the secondary to bolster its playoff run. However, the Magic’s broader strategy appears to center on flexibility, with the organization unlikely to pursue players other than those on expiring contracts given the significant payroll increase looming this offseason.

The Magic (23-19) currently sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and are balancing between growth and contention. Orlando recently returned from a European trip that saw them split two games against the Memphis Grizzlies, winning in Berlin before falling in London. The The Magic will resume play on Thursday night by hosting the Charlotte Hornets (16-28) at 7:00 PM ET.

While no deal between Minnesota and Orlando is said to be imminent, the alignment of needs — Minnesota’s search for guard depth and Orlando’s willingness to move salary while gathering assets — has caught the league’s attention. As the deadline approaches, both teams are expected to remain active in discussions as they look for marginal gains that could shape the rest of their seasons.