5 Potential Targets for the Orlando Magic Prior to NBA Trade Deadline

It has been a see-saw season thus far for the Orlando Magic. The Magic started off the season with a respectable 19-14 record and looked to finally take that next step into the playoffs. However, when the year changed to 2016 so did the Magic. An abysmal January saw the Magic win only 2 games the entire month. As it stands, the Magic sit with a record of 23-29 and 3 ½ games behind Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the East. General Manager Rob Hennigan has made it clear that the Magic will be active in trade discussions leading up to the February 18^th trade deadline. He’s been on record to say that the Magic may be too young and will pursue a veteran to try to help get this team over that hump. The Magic have not been to the playoffs since trading their former All-Star center Dwight Howard in 2012. Since then, Hennigan has done a nice job of putting a group of young talent together to grow and develop. Now is the time to cash in on some of those assets to bring in a perennial veteran. Luckily for Orlando, considerable teams in the NBA are interested in a lot of what the Magic have to offer. Here are five names the Magic could pursue before next Thursday’s trade deadline.

Kenneth Faried – Denver Nuggets, PF

Kenneth Faried, Trade Deadline” width=”225″ height=”225″ />I know some people have been chattering about acquiring Blake Griffin from the Clippers but the Magic would likely have to blow up their team to acquire the big man. I’m not sure how much Griffin could help the Magic if they got in the playoffs. The Clippers haven’t gone past the second round and that’s with the help of Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. It would not be smart of the Magic to risk the chance of letting go of youngsters like Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, amongst others, to find out. Personally, I like the idea of the Magic going after Kenneth Faried in Denver. It’s no secret the Magic need help with size. Even though Faried is not the ideal size for a power forward at 6’8” and 228 pounds (Rotoworld), he more than holds his own. This season with the Nuggets, Faried has averaged 12.5 ppg and nearly 9 rebounds per game. The Magic need a lot of help in the rebounding department and Faried could fit that bill perfectly. His defense is not the greatest but no one on the Nuggets can play defense. Magic coach and defensive minded Scott Skiles could push him well in that department. Should the Magic inquire about Faried it would have to be for the long-term as his extension starts next season. It wouldn’t take nearly as much to trade for Faried as it would Griffin and the Magic would likely be in the same position, if not better, should they trade for the Nuggets big man. Keep in mind that Orlando and Denver have had quite a few trade discussions in the past few years so the possibility is not out of the question.

Greg Monroe – Milwaukee Bucks, C

There has been no link between Orlando and Milwaukee about sending the big man to Florida but that doesn’t mean business can’t pick up between the twoGreg Monroe, Trade Deadline, Milwaukee Bucks” width=”200″ height=”252″ /> within the next week. Much to the surprise of many, the Bucks made Monroe available in trade talks last week just a few months after signing him to a long-term deal. The Magic were one of those teams interested in Monroe’s services in the offseason before he signed with Milwaukee so the interest could still be there. The bad part about Monroe is that his defense is horrendous but that’s not a secret. His scoring and rebounding might just be what the Magic need, however. If you’ve watched the Magic closely you’ll know that they have a tendency to get in scoring slumps where they can’t seem to buy a bucket and run in a half-court offense, which is not their strength. With Monroe’s 16.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg (Bleacher Report), he could really help lift the young team in the tough trenches. The Bucks would likely be looking to replace Monroe in a potential deal along with a shooter. So long as the Magic don’t break the bank for Monroe, they should throw their name in the hat for the big man.

Rudy Gay – Sacramento Kings, SF

This is probably my least favorite target but it should still be addressed. The Kings are once again full of drama and could be looking to deal anyone on their team not named DeMarcus Cousins, even though we’ve heard his name in trade chatter before as well. Rudy Gay is an excellent offensive player but leaves even less to be desired than the two players mentioned before on the defensive end. Still, if the Magic want a boost on offense than Gay could be the guy they covet. So far this season, Gay is averaging 17.8 ppg and 34.3% from 3 point land (Rotoworld). The Magic could even trigger a deal sending their current small forward, Tobias Harris. Harris’ numbers are down from last season, now averaging 13.7 ppg and shooting just 31.1% from downtown. Prior to the 2015-2016 season, Sacramento showed a lot of interest in Harris before he elected to re-sign with the Magic on a four-year contract worth $62 million. The Kings may be willing to take on Harris’ contract for the future if they prefer him over Gay. Harris’ defense is better than Gay’s but it’s a far cry from elite and he’s not as great a scorer but still capable of taking over games. Harris can also play both forward positions that could be attractive to the Kings. Look for both teams to at least talk about the possibility before the deadline.

Al Horford – Atlanta Hawks, PF/C

The Magic could also look at a division rival to possibly complete a trade with. The Atlanta Hawks have announced that they are willing to part with Al Horford and point guard Jeff Teague. Atlanta is still very much in the playoff picture but has admitted that they look at themselves as fringe competitors. Basically, they feel they are nothing more than a first or second-round exit from the playoffs and they’re probably right. The Hawks aren’t exactly in rebuilding mode but they feel it’s time to make some changes. Although not the front-runners, the Magic are one of those teams mentioned to show interest in acquiring either or both players. Personally, I don’t think Horford helps the Magic in the short or long-term. Yes, he can step back and knock down 3 pointers, evidenced by his 34% 3-point range (Rotoworld), but he doesn’t add much to the categories that the Magic lack. Atlanta ranks last in the NBA in rebounding so don’t expect him to help in that category or to excel on the defensive side of the floor. Just earlier this week, Magic center Nikola Vucevic dominated Horford in back-to-back games pretty much on both ends. Horford is an excellent scorer around the floor and could possibly help the Magic get in the playoffs this year but at what cost? He will be an unrestricted free agent after season’s end and unless the Magic are willing to spend over $20 million annually (I’m not) it doesn’t make much sense here to trigger a deal.

Jeff Teague – Atlanta Hawks, PG

Even more so than Horford, the Magic have been linked to Jeff Teague trade rumors. Point guard may not be a huge need for the Magic but a Jeff Teague deal could do them some good provided that the price is right. Earlier this week there were reports that the Hawks and Magic have had discussions about a Teague for Oladipo swap (Orlando Magic Daily). This is an example of the price not being right. Orlando should not consider sending point guard Elfrid Payton in a deal for Teague either. No one on the Magic is untradeable but guys like Oladipo, Vucevic, and Payton, should only be considered in blockbuster type deals that could land Orlando a perennial All-Star for years to come. Some believe that a possible Teague to Orlando deal would push Payton to the bench but I disagree. A Teague and Payton tandem could become the best point guard combo in the NBA. It wouldn’t be surprising either to see both of them on the court at times to wreak havoc against opposing guards. Both players are excellent defenders that could create a lot of turnovers and fast break opportunities. Again, I wouldn’t break the bank to acquire Teague, and letting go of the overall number two pick less than 3 years ago (Oladipo) to get him is probably not a smart business decision. Maybe Atlanta feels a need to fill their small forward position after losing DeMarre Carroll in free agency to Toronto. Tobias Harris seems to be Orlando’s biggest trade bait after inking his massive deal and just 23 years old. His numbers are down from last season and it’s clear that the Magic have played better in his absence. It’s not to knock Harris in any way as he is still a great player and very young. Teams will be interested in Harris but a package surrounded by a Teague for Harris deal could become beneficial for both teams.

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