NBA Trade Deadline Rumors: Orlando Magic discussed Jimmy Butler trade

The Orlando Magic are shopping around aggressively at the trade deadline trying to improve their roster. A new report says they went after Jimmy Butler.

Orlando radio show Community Sports Report reports the Orlando Magic have been in discussions with the Chicago Bulls about acquiring star forward Jimmy Butler.

At least one freelance reporter is disputing the report. Conversations like these do happen. Not all of these conversations are serious and this one may or not have been.

UPDATE: Community Sports Report’s Austin David and Juan Bernal recorded a brief segment discussing the rumor and its circumstances in more detail.

Butler, who is on the first year of his five-year, $95-million contract, was selected for his second All-Star appearance this season before going down with a knee injury. That injury is likely to keep him on the sidelines for another 3-4 weeks.

Community Sports Report, citing a source close to the Magic, reports Chicago wanted Victor Oladipo, another player and a first round pick in exchange for Butler. The Magic reportedly declined that offer.

It is no mystery as to why the Magic would be interested in acquiring Butler.

They have built a strong core of young talent, but are desperately in need of a legitimate star player. NBA executives generally believe you cannot compete for an NBA title without at least one star, maybe two.

Butler is currently 20th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus, a stat created by ESPN to measure a player’s total impact on the court. He is 10th in the league in Offensive Real Plus Minus.

Butler would give the league’s 25th-ranked offense a huge boost. He is able to create his own shot, play through the scheme Scott Skiles has wanted to establish, and has been a solid 3-point shooter in the past despite struggling a bit this season.

Butler is also a strong perimeter defender, and would give the Magic a huge boost in versatility and output on that end.

It is worth mentioning however that Butler is out with a left knee injury that will keep him out 3-4 weeks.

This reported offer would involve the Magic giving up Oladipo, whom the team has considered as the current face of the franchise. Oladipo is a very good player with the potential to grow, but he likely will never approach the level Butler is currently at.

The same can be said about the draft pick they would give up.

The ultimate question comes down to which other player Chicago would be looking for, and whether that would tip the balance point.

The Magic likely would not want to deal Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja or Elfrid Payton. Those players are still on their rookie contracts, which means they are very valuable, and they have shown flashes of their potential to grow into very good NBA players.

It is also likely the Bulls are not looking too much at Nikola Vucevic, as they already have a lot of front court players who compete for minutes. Although, likely a large contract like Vucevic or Tobias Harris would also be necessary to make the deal work under the salary cap.

It is unclear how serious these conversations were, but it is safe to believe the two teams did in fact discuss this deal.

The Magic have made it no secret they are looking for a veteran and there are several reports they are looking for a home-run deal. They need to keep pursuing this trade scenario, despite the fact that they would be giving up arguably their best player in Oladipo.

Not only would adding Butler help their playoff push this season, but it would give them a legitimate superstar to help them compete in the near future.

It would also help attract future free agents, with the salary cap set to rise substantially.

Next: All-Star Break leaves things bubbling

Just because the deal was initially shot down too does not mean it is completely dead either. Thursday’s trade deadline is still a long way away.