NBA Trade Rumors: Paolo Banchero-led Orlando Magic in race for highly coveted $94,500,000 sharpshooter as franchise eyes big move 

Amid their 3-point shooting woes, the Orlando Magic are reportedly a dark horse to add Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson to their Paolo Banchero-led core.

Despite being ravaged by injuries to its top players throughout the season, Orlando (24-23) has weathered the storm, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference. However, even with the team getting healthier in recent weeks, it has trended downward, going 3-8 over its last 11 contests.

Outside shooting has been a season-long issue for the Magic, who rank dead last in the NBA in 3-pointers per game (11.2) and 3-point percentage (30.5%). However, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, help could be on the way.

Responding to a fan's question on X/Twitter on Sunday about Orlando's trade deadline plans, Siegel confirmed the franchise's interest in Johnson. Although, he noted that the Magic landing the sixth-year sharpshooter is a long shot.

"Magic remain a sleeper team for Johnson," Siegel wrote. "In recent weeks, the chances of them pulling off something big involving Cole Anthony have decreased. It's still possible they make a small move but getting Paolo and Franz (Wagner) back are their deadline deals."

As Siegel pointed out, Banchero and his co-star Franz Wagner returned from 34-game and 20-game absences due to oblique injuries on Jan. 10 and Thursday. So, the Magic could evaluate how their team performs with the duo reunited before making any sizable moves before the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.

Nevertheless, Johnson, one of the hottest names on the trade market, could be a strong fit for the organization. Through 35 outings, he is averaging a career-best 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.2 3-pointers per game on elite 49.1/41.9/89.8 shooting splits. Meanwhile, he's in the second year of a relatively affordable four-year, $94.5 million contract.

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Cameron Johnson unfazed by trade rumors amid connections to Magic and several other playoff-caliber teams

While Cameron Johnson has been perhaps the most mentioned player in trade talks this season, he isn't letting the rumors distract him.

In addition to Orlando, Johnson has been connected to several high-level squads, including the OKC Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings. Nonetheless, on Wednesday, he underscored his determination to remain locked in for the rebuilding Nets.

"Keep my head down. I just try to emotionally disconnect from that," Johnson said. "I have to, for the sake of myself, and invest all that energy into the present and to the team that we have.

"No matter what happens, the Nets have invested a lot of resources in trying to make me a better player. So, my job is to compete for the city, for this team, for this organization, for my teammates, and that's what I'll do. And if I get traded, then that objective shifts to wherever I'm going. But for now, this is where I'm at."

Brooklyn (14-32) is in the early stages of its rebuild. Meanwhile, Johnson will turn 29 in March, so he doesn't project to be part of the franchise's long-term plans. Thus, whether the 3-point sniper lands with the Magic or elsewhere, his days with the Nets appear to be numbered.

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