The Orlando Magic have executed a series of aggressive moves to bolster their roster since the offseason began. They continued that approach by trading up in the second round to select French forward Noah Penda with the No. 32 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, sending a significant package to the Boston Celtics to secure their target.
Magic Trade Up for Elite Defensive Prospect
To acquire Penda, Orlando sent the No. 46 and No. 57 picks this year, along with second-round selections in 2026 and 2027 to the Celtics. The steep price reflected the Magic’s conviction that the 20-year-old forward represents an ideal fit for their defensive identity and long-term vision.
Penda brings a well-rounded skill set from his time with Le Mans Sarthe Basket in France’s top professional league. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 28 appearances while shooting 44.9% from the field. His impressive play earned him LNB All-Star recognition and Most Valuable Player honors at the league’s Young Star Game.
NBA insider Kevin O’Connor offered insight into the Frenchman’s potential impact. He posted on X: “Noah Penda needs to prove himself as a shooter, but he has literally everything else you’d hope for in a role player. Elite high feel player for the Magic. If shots fall, he’s gonna be in the NBA for well over a decade.”
Noah Penda needs to prove himself as a shooter, but he has literally everything else you’d hope for in a role player. Elite high feel player for the Magic. If shots fall, he’s gonna be in the NBA for well over a decade. pic.twitter.com/thXdhZeszq
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 27, 2025
Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 242 pounds with a 6-foot-11.5-inch wingspan, Penda possesses exceptional physical tools that translate to defensive versatility and a relentless motor.
He demonstrates the basketball instincts of a veteran player and has the potential to make immediate contributions on both ends of the floor. His energy, defensive tenacity and playmaking ability align seamlessly with a Magic organization that prides itself on its defense-first identity.
The selection comes approximately two weeks after Orlando executed another major move, trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple first-round picks to Memphis for All-Star guard Desmond Bane. The franchise has now completed two significant transactions in rapid succession after avoiding trades for several years, signaling an aggressive push toward contention.
With franchise cornerstones Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner continuing their development, the Magic are clearly focused on surrounding their young stars with complementary players who enhance their games. Penda projects to fit that exact mold as a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions and contribute without requiring extensive offensive touches.
Penda excels in passing lanes as a weak-side shot blocker and demonstrates the lateral quickness necessary to switch across multiple positions defensively. While his offensive repertoire continues developing, his combination of size, length, and basketball IQ provides a solid foundation for his projected role as a 3-and-D forward with secondary playmaking capabilities.
The primary area for improvement remains shooting consistency. Penda converted 31.4% of his three-point attempts on modest volume during his breakout season with Le Mans.
If the French forward can develop reliable perimeter shooting and refine his ball-handling skills, he possesses the potential to establish a lengthy and impactful NBA career with Orlando, exactly as O’Connor projected in his social media assessment.
Penda should benefit from numerous opportunities to attempt open shots, thanks to the dynamic scoring abilities of Banchero and Wagner. Their presence as primary offensive creators should generate quality catch-and-shoot opportunities for role players like Penda, addressing a critical need after Orlando finished last in both three-point percentage and three-point makes during the previous season.
