Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony’s lone season at North Carolina will be remembered for a number of reasons—chief among them, the onset of a global pandemic. The 2019–20 season was cut short by the emergence of COVID-19, but even before then, it had already shaped up to be one of the most difficult years in Tar Heel basketball history. Under Roy Williams, the team finished with a disappointing 14–19 record, a rare low point for a storied program. Fans endured repeated heartbreak as Carolina struggled on the court.
Anthony arrived in Chapel Hill alongside Armando Bacot, now the program’s all-time leading rebounder. But while Bacot chose to remain in college for five seasons, Anthony took a different path, declaring for the NBA after just one year. He was selected 15th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Now, several years later, Anthony finds himself in trade rumors. According to Evan Sidery on X (formerly Twitter), the Orlando Magic are reportedly exploring a deal that would send Anthony and teammate Jonathan Isaac, along with two first-round picks, to a new destination.
Cole Anthony averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists this past season while shooting 42% from the field—the lowest marks of his career to date. His diminished production can be attributed in part to a drop in playing time and usage. After averaging 27 minutes per game as a rookie, where he posted 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, Anthony saw his minutes reduced to just 18 per game this season.
Wearing his father’s iconic No. 50, Anthony continues to navigate the ever-evolving NBA landscape—one defined by constant player movement, whether through trades or free agency. In a league where even star players are frequently on the move—highlighted by a hypothetical blockbuster like Luka Dončić joining the Los Angeles Lakers after Mavericks GM Nico Harrison traded for NBA champion Anthony Davis—no player is ever truly off-limits.
If Anthony is indeed moved ahead of the upcoming season, his new team will be acquiring a capable scorer with a proven clutch gene. The Portland, Oregon native has repeatedly come through in key moments for the Orlando Magic—and could be a valuable asset wherever he lands next.
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