Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline Rumors: Orlando Magic have discussed Jeff Teague-for-Victor Oladipo swap

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to a report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks have discussed a trade involving Jeff Teague.

It seems to be no secret around the league the Orlando Magic are seeking a veteran player. And it seems to be no secret they will listen to any team for just about any player.

And so there will be surprising offers and rumors. Very surprising offers and rumors.

Tuesday night Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, citing a NBA source, writes the Magic and Hawks have discussed a deal involving Victor Oladipo and Jeff Teague.

What this does not say is the Magic made an offer of Oladipo for Teague. The reaction to the rumor online was pretty clear from Magic fans: Teague alone is not enough for Oladipo.

The report does not say the Magic did not hang up the phone the moment the Hawks put forward the deal or that they did anything more than discuss it. The Hawks may have put the idea out there to the Magic and the discussion may have gone in any number of directions.

The Hawks themselves appear to be in a period of flux. Brian Windhorst and Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com reported Tuesday the Hawks are having serious discussions about their franchise’s future as they fear they have become a fringe contender — more the Eastern Conference version of the Memphis Grizzlies rather than the San Antonio Spurs.

That has led the Hawks to shop Al Horford and Jeff Teague around perhaps. What they want in return is not exactly clear.

If it is indeed Victor Oladipo, then the Hawks are asking for a lot.

Teague has had a rough year and is a big reason the Hawks have taken a step back this year after last year’s breakout season. Teague is averaging 15.1 points per game and 5.4 assists per game. However he is shooting just 43.3 per form the floor and posting a 48.4 percent effective field goal percentage.

Oladipo has had his own struggles but he has the added benefit of being younger and cheaper at the moment. The Magic’s desperation for a veteran probably will cost a key player, but perhaps not Oladipo for Teague straight up. The Magic likely still view Oladipo as a player with star potential.

Teague is not a huge contract risk with just one more year at $8 million left on his contract. The Magic would essentially be trading any player for one full year of Teague before having to make a contract decision.

But with Elfrid Payton already in tow, and seemingly a part of the core, adding Teague makes little sense. It pushes Payton to the bench — where who knows how he will react — and keeps a veteran for just that one year before the Payton/Teague contract decision has to be made.

That does not seem like the kind of long-term planning the Magic want to make. They would cash in one of their biggest assets in Oladipo for something that does not seem to fit long-term plans and push aside one of those young players for the Magic (essentially also tanking one of their potential assets).

It is becoming clearer the Hawks have picked to stick with Dennis Schroder over Jeff Teague for the long term and so they are shopping Teague.

It does not seem the Magic though make much sense.

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

And so this remains exactly what it is — a rumor. Likely a move from the Hawks to increase their asking price and set a market in the week before the trade deadline.