NBA rumors: Clippers’ trade inquiries to Magic rebuffed

The Los Angeles Clippers are in the midst of potentially trading away star forward Kawhi Leonard. However, that isn’t the only trade they have their eyes on.

The Clippers have been trying to acquire center Goga Bitadze from the Orlando Magic. But thus far, the Magic have been unwilling to make a deal, via Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of the Stein Line.

“Word is that the Clippers are also among the teams that have expressed trade interest in Orlando’s Goga Bitadze. The Stein Line has since learned, though, that the Magic have rebuffed inquires for the Georgian big man to this point,” Fischer wrote. “It appears that Orlando wants to retain Bitadze in part because it is bracing for the loss of Moritz Wagner, brother of Magic star Franz Wagner, in unrestricted free agency.”

The Magic are preparing to enter a new era under head coach Sean Sweeney. There are sure to be plenty of changes to their roster. However, trading away Bitadze doesn’t seem like that’ll be one of them.

As for the Clippers, they’re in need of some help in the middle after dealing Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. If Orlando stays firm on their Bitadze denial, they’ll have to look elsewhere. But Los Angeles will at least try.

Bitadze himself is coming off of a 2025-26 campaign that saw him average 5.9 points, five rebounds and a block per game. Over his 213 games total with the Magic, the center has averaged six points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Both the Magic and Clippers are still trying to figure out their perfect 2026-27 alignment. For now, it looks like that’ll keep Bitadze in Orlando.

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