This potential Cavs trade with Magic is solid deal to consider

Examining the potential Cavs-Magic deal, why the Magic should consider it, and how Carter-Williams could help the Cavs

Perhaps with Terrence Ross being mentioned in trade rumors dating back to last offseason, and still seemingly a candidate to be dealt by the Feb. 10 deadline, the Cavs could inquire about a deal involving him and Michael Carter-Williams, for Rubio’s contract and Cleveland’s two second-round picks? Those seconds are via the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, both of which should be valuable and seem to be.

For the Magic, they’re a club that is in the beginning stages of a full-rebuild, and the priority for them should clearly be to get young guys as much experience as they can, with players such as Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton and Franz Wagner in mind. Not to mention Markelle Fultz, if and when he returns from injury.

Orlando and Rubio/his representation could seemingly look to negotiate a buyout after this potential deal were to ensue, or maybe Rubio could remain with them through the end of the season, and possibly the two sides could come to an agreement on a reasonable deal this upcoming offseason. I do have my doubts on that, but with the picks attached, this could be a sensible move from their end.

Of course, it’s definitely not a certainty that Ross could be had for two seconds, but those would likely be worth a hard look, given the Spurs and Rockets’ being at #11 and #15 in the Western Conference currently.

On the Cavaliers’ side of the ledger here, while I get Carter-Williams is not a player you’d expect to have a crucial offensive role, he could fill in for some spurts as a faciliting presence, and still can be an effective driver. He’d be an impactful rotational defender also that could fill in guarding opposing 1’s through 3’s, and for his career, even while he’s bounced around, the 6-foot-5 Carter-Williams has proven to be a capable playmaker in regular roles, and has had 6.2 assists per-36 minutes.

Granted, he has had injuries in his career, and had ankle surgery back in late August; shoulder and knee ailments have been a concern as well in prior seasons with the Magic, and with the Chicago Bulls, for example. Carter-Williams’ outlook was an uncertain one a few seasons ago, too, but he’s proven to be solid for Orlando’s bench; he, like Ross, is 30, though.

For Cleveland, both could be valuable members of the rotation, regardless, and the key here to this hypothetical deal, beyond Carter-Williams potential defense and playmaking help, is Ross, however.