Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

NBA trade rumors: Magic could interest Warriors in a David Lee deal, according to report

The Golden State Warriors expect that they’ll have to deal David Lee eventually, and the Orlando Magic could be a trade partner for the veteran forward.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors went after Dwight Howard last summer and are reportedly in the mix to chase after Kevin Love in a trade this summer. They know point guard Stephen Curry needs help, but to do so they'll need to clear cap space.

Veteran forward David Lee is the obvious odd-man out, and the San Jose Mercury News' Marcus Thompson reports that the Warriors are getting more antsy to trade Lee. The asking price for Lee is dropping.

The Orlando Magic might be a perfect trade partner. Though the Magic are in the midst of a rebuilding process, they have a hole at the power forward spot and have often turned to undersized Tobias Harris to play there. The Magic, in need of a little more credibility, could use Lee's double-double production and are also able to take on his $15 million owed to him this season and $15.5 million next season. His expiring deal could be worth something on the trade market in 2015-16 as well.

Thompson surmises that the draft will tell a bit about what Orlando is thinking. If they draft a guard like Dante Exum or Marcus Smart with the fourth overall pick, it would keep the power forward slot wide open and make Arron Afflalo expendable. The Magic also own the 12th overall pick.

Afflalo would be enticing to the Warriors if they come to terms that they can't pay shooting guard Klay Thompson, whose rookie deal comes to an end after the 2014-15 season. On a $7.5 million per year deal with a player option in 2015-16, Afflalo is a valuable shooting guard considering his production.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NBA NEWSLETTER

Get news, links and Ziller's #hottakes in your inbox every weekday morning.

See More:

More in NBA

NBA
Kevin Durant’s criticism of Klay and Draymond feels like another burner account gone badKevin Durant’s criticism of Klay and Draymond feels like another burner account gone bad
NBA

Kevin Durant probably forgot he wasn’t on his burner account when ripping his former Warriors teammates.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
NBA free agent predictions for biggest names still availableNBA free agent predictions for biggest names still available
NBA

Let’s predict the landing spots for the NBA’s top remaining free agents.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
7 NBA teams who will be way better than last year7 NBA teams who will be way better than last year
NBA

These NBA teams are going to be a lot better in the upcoming season than they were last year.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Why LeBron James chose the 76ers in NBA free agency, and his big bet on Jaylen BrownWhy LeBron James chose the 76ers in NBA free agency, and his big bet on Jaylen Brown
NBA

LeBron James *really* wanted to play with Jaylen Brown

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
NBA Reacts: Are the LeBron Sixers the best team in the East?NBA Reacts: Are the LeBron Sixers the best team in the East?
NBA

The 76ers have more talent than anyone in the Eastern Conference, but will it turn into enough wins to win the East?

By Kyle Thele
NBA
Steph Curry to the Hornets is the wild NBA rumor that might have legsSteph Curry to the Hornets is the wild NBA rumor that might have legs
NBA

This makes so much sense, and it’s so irresponsible.

By James Dator