Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic ‘in mix’ for several point guards
The Orlando Magic are not planning to sit idly by as the trade deadline approaches. A new report suggests the Magic are in the mix for some big point guards.
The Orlando Magic made the obvious deal they had to make last week in trading Serge Ibaka. It was the first domino to fall in the wake of a disappointing season. It does not appear the Magic are done.
Rumors began floating around late this week, the Orlando Magic had discussions with the Detroit Pistons centered on point guard Reggie Jackson. The rumors got pretty specific too.
It does seem the Magic are going to be in some serious discussions heading into Thursday’s deadline. Knowing that trading away their best player in Serge Ibaka is not going to improve their team ultimately, there are still moves to be made if the Magic hope to compete for the Playoffs — whether it is this year or next.
And there are some clear needs the Magic need to fill.
It is no surprise the Magic are looking to clear up some of the issues they have had at point guard. And, thus, it is no surprise they are starting to make some inquiries and inroads into the current point guard trade market.
Three names, in particular, have come up, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Reggie Jackson has already been reported. But the Magic also appear to be at least interested in the New Orleans Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday and the Phoenix Suns’ Brandon Knight.
Magic are indeed in the mix on point guards - Reggie Jackson, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Knight (too a lesser extent)
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 19, 2017
Jackson and Holiday would certainly represent an upgrade over Elfrid Payton.
Jackson is averaging 15.2 points per game and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a 47.9 percent effective field goal percentage. HIs numbers are down from last year, possibly because of a knee injury he suffered early in the season that kept him out for some time.
Jackson is undoubtedly talented, scoring a career-high 18.8 points per game in his first full season with the Pistons and as a starter last year. But there are now some questions about how he fits after the Pistons struggled following his return to the lineup.
Jackson is a long-term investment considering he has three years left on his contract after signing a five-year, $80-million extension in the summer of 2015.
Considering Elfrid Payton’s struggles offensively, Jackson would be an improvement. So too might former All Star Jrue Holiday.
Holiday is averaging 16.3 points per game and 7.2 assists per game with a 52.6 percent effective field goal percentage. Holiday is having a stellar season as the New Orleans Pelicans have made some significant strides since his return.
Orlando Magic
But Holiday’s injury concerns persist. He has played no more than 65 games in any of his three previous seasons in New Orleans.
Holiday will also become a free agent at the end of this season. Any move to acquire Holiday would be only for this year or with the idea of resigning him this summer. Acquiring him could mean the Magic look to clear cap space — by trading a player like D.J. Augustin — or could be a move to invest more in the often-injured Holiday.
The final candidate is certainly a bit more of a risk.
Brandon Knight has struggled this year off the bench for Phoenix, averaging a career-low 11.0 points per game with a career-worst 44.1 percent effective field goal percentage. This a year after he averaged 19.6 points per game.
Knight is a capable scorer. But Devin Booker has surpassed him in the rotation. And Knight may not even be a natural point guard — his career high in assists is 5.2 per game. It is an odd fit.
It is made even odder considering Knight is still owed $43.9 million in the next three years. He will make $15.6 million in 2020. That is not a bad price if Knight produces to his ability. But that seems to be slipping away this year at least.
In any case, acquiring Knight would mean making a pretty big investment in him and banking on his success. Much like it would be if the Magic acquired Jackson from Detroit.
Regardless if any of these specific rumors are true or the Magic are in serious conversations it would seem. And they seem to be targeting a point guard as the next step in their rebuild. It is clear they are looking for an upgrade over Elfrid Payton and are exploring some big options.
Next: Orlando Magic working to rebuild young assets
The Magic do not appear set to stand idle before the trade deadline despite making their first move. Orlando will have work to do before the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday.