Magic President Weltman Expresses Frustration Over Team's Play After Quiet Trade Deadline

Orlando made just one minor move, sending Tyus Jones to Charlotte, despite high expectations for the season.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman spoke to the media after the NBA trade deadline, expressing frustration with the team's play and inability to make significant roster moves. While the team considered other trades, Weltman said they didn't want to break up the core group that has performed well when healthy. However, injuries to key players like Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have plagued the Magic this season, leading to an 8-12 record in their last 20 games.

Why it matters

The Magic entered the season with high expectations after making several offseason moves, including acquiring Desmond Bane. However, the team has struggled to find consistency and maintain its defensive identity, leading to frustration from the front office and fans. Weltman's comments suggest the team may need to make more significant changes if the current core can't get healthy and turn things around in the second half of the season.

The details

Despite considering other trades, the Magic only made one move at the deadline, sending veteran guard Tyus Jones and two second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for cash considerations. Weltman said the team didn't want to break up its core group, which has performed well when healthy, but acknowledged the team's struggles, saying "I don't like the state of the team right now." Injuries to key players like Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have limited the team's ability to find consistency this season.

  • The Magic entered Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets with a 2-8 record in their last 10 games and in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.
  • The Magic opened the season 13-8 but have gone 12-16 since December 3rd.

The players

Jeff Weltman

The president of basketball operations for the Orlando Magic.

Jalen Suggs

A starting guard for the Orlando Magic who has missed 20 games due to injury this season.

Paolo Banchero

A starting forward for the Orlando Magic who has missed 10 games due to a left groin strain.

Franz Wagner

A starting forward for the Orlando Magic who has missed 24 games due to a left high ankle sprain.

Wendell Carter Jr.

A starting center for the Orlando Magic who has missed 3 games due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“We're aggressive 365 days a year. And I think we're not afraid to make bolds as I think last summer showed. The answer to frustration isn't just to make a move just for the sake of making a move.”

— Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations (Orlando Sentinel)

“It's concerning. Every team has injuries, but it's having these prolonged injuries. All I can say is, these are soft tissue injuries. What can you say? It's the NBA and this is what happens sometimes.”

— Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations (Orlando Sentinel)

“I don't like the state of the team right now. We're not playing well and I think it's been a little while that we haven't been playing well. I would imagine our fans our frustrated by the way we're playing and I'm frustrated with them.”

— Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations (Orlando Sentinel)

What’s next

The Magic will look to turn things around in the second half of the season and get their key players healthy in order to make a push for the playoffs. Weltman said the team remains optimistic about the rest of the season and is committed to improving the roster, even if that means making difficult decisions about the core group.

The takeaway

The Magic's struggles this season, despite high preseason expectations, highlight the challenges of building a contending team in the NBA. Injuries to key players have derailed their momentum, and the front office must now decide whether to stay the course or make more significant changes to the roster in order to get the team back on track.