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How can the Orlando Magic get Jimmy Butler?

By Kyle Williams

Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic reportedly would be a team to push for Jimmy Butler in a trade. So, how could they get him?

It looks like the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic are in the same boat. They are both trying to find answers as to why they could not be a great team this season. The Bulls heading out of the Playoff picture and the Magic trying to step up into it.

Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports reports league executives believe the Magic will pursue a trade for Jimmy Butler this offseason, should the Bulls make him available.

However, this is not the first time Butler has been linked to the Magic as a new home for him. At the trade deadline, Community Sports Report in Orlando noted the Magic were in very preliminary talks to trade Victor Oladipo, a first round pick and another player for Jimmy Butler.

It should be repeated, these were very preliminary talks — the beginning of conversations really — and they obviously did not get anywhere, perhaps laying the seeds for an offseason deal.

Still, with how disappointing the Bulls have been, they need to have an open mind. As for Orlando, they need to keep trying to pry Butler from Chicago’s roster to bring in that established All Star to the roster.

To get something as valuable as Butler, the Magic will have to give something valuable up.

At the trade deadline, it appeared Orlando had no intention to trade Victor Oladipo. That is a good sign, because it means Oladipo is in Orlando’s future plans. Although, the Magic have plenty to offer still. Of course, the trade has to have the salaries match up, and the biggest paid player on the Magic is Nikola Vucevic.

Any trade for a player of Butler’s caliber will require the Magic give up some hefty material, but it is worth it. Butler is averaging 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

All around, he truly is a young All-Star with a great mindset and top notch talent.

Orlando could also receive a bit player, like sharpshooter Doug McDermott, as they definitely need shooting. The Magic are not projected to have a top five first round pick, so it is not insane to trade it. However, it will still be at least lottery pick, which could interest the Bulls, who will have a lottery pick of their own and by trading Butler the need to restock on talent.

Now, of course, the Bulls value Butler to a high extent. They would still likely want Oladipo, or even young players like Aaron Gordon or Mario Hezonja to start up a rebuild. The matter at hand is, the Bulls would want someone young and filled with star potential.

Vucevic is young and very solid, but there does not seem to be any room left in his game to improve. What you see, is what you will get from him.

Oladipo on the other hand, is a younger player that has room to improve. He is already the franchise face of a team.

When considering the team’s options this summer, Orlando has to make a hard choice whether it wants to give up Oladipo for a more established star. It is likely Oladipo, Gordon and Hezonja are the most untouchable players at this point. But who knows? Teams change their minds all the time. And the right deal can pry anyone free.

The fact the Magic have talked about dealing for Butler before, means they are ready to win games and be playoff bound. Imagine a starting lineup of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo or Evan Fournier, Jimmy Butler, Aaron Gordon and Dewayne Dedmon — or add in some other free agent in there. There may not be a lot of shooting, but the defense would be phenomenal and the scoring would find a way to work. Not to mention how athletic that starting lineup is.

The Magic would still have max cap space to add to that lineup. And a deal could be completed at the Draft with the limited room the Magic have to acquire more salary, setting up free agency. Also, if the Magic can find a way to keep Evan Fournier, he would also boost the Magic with some much-needed shooting.

All together, it could work. Giving up Vucevic would be tough, but sometimes you have to give some to get some.

There are several other teams interested in Jimmy Butler however, so the Magic have some competition if the reports are true and if the Bulls actually make Butler available.

Related Story: Orlando Magic, Jimmy Butler could be a match

No matter what, Orlando will be active during the off season. It is time for them to make a big change for the better, and Butler could be that change.