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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic aggressively pursuing veteran

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) drives the ball toward Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) drives the ball toward Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic are not sitting idly by this trade deadline. As rumors begin to swirl, reports are the Magic are thinking big and hunting for a veteran.

The Orlando Magic have reached a point in their rebuild where they are looking to take that step forward and cash in their chips for something more permanent and a future a bit more certain.

Of course, that is no surprise, the Magic were nearing that stage as they attempted to get this collection of talent to turn into some form of a winning team and in the Playoff conversation.

Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has always said the team is always searching for ways to improve the team and were open to exploring all possibilities. He also said in an interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel earlier this month, the Magic were perhaps a bit too young.

With the team now at 23-28 and having suffered through its horrendous January stretch, the Magic are seemingly desperate to right the ship and begin taking a much larger and clearer step forward.

They are ready to see what all their young assets can get and find that star to give some clear direction.

And the Magic are willing to think big to do it.

According to Kevin Arnovitz and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, the Magic are among the teams most aggressively looking to acquire an impact veteran. That may include Al Horford or Jeff Teague, whom the Hawks are looking to move as they ponder what the future of their core looks like with the team struggling (ironically, dropping back-to-back close games to the Magic in less-than-stellar efforts).

That is not all though.

The Magic appear willing to up their aggression to find a star. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports the Magic are “swinging for the fences.”

Yes, the Magic appear willing to get very active at this year’s NBA Trade Deadline. And just about every player can and should be in play depending on what the haul they are bringing back is.

The Magic looking for a star-type player — Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Jae Crowder, David Lee (an expiring contract), Greg Monroe and Blake Griffin — puts a lot of different players and scenarios in play.

It is also entirely possible, in this quest for the star, the Magic are simply looking to clear some cap room to free up cap space to sign a max-level free agent this summer. All of it almost certainly in play.

What is very clear from all these reports and rumblings that have begun to surface is the Magic know they need a little bit more to get over the top and into the Playoffs. They know this young core on its own is not going to get the team into the Playoffs and show the progression it needs from this year to next.

Holes need to be filled and an actual team, rather than a collection of talent, needs to be formed.

Next: Looking to the core: Who are the Orlando Magic's core players?

Rob Hennigan is not sitting on his hands on this one. Whether he makes any of these actual deals likely depends on how the Magic actually value the players being discussed and how much they are willing to give up to acquire one of these players.