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Victor Oladipo: Dwight Howard rumors show players want to be in Orlando

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles the ball past Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles the ball past Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Victor Oladipo was asked in a recent interview about the Dwight Howard rumors. He said it was a signal free agents want to play for the Orlando Magic.

There is one more deep breath now before NBA personnel gather together Wednesday for the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and the rumor mill can begin churning as Draft season will officially be in place.

A lot will be flying around — a lot has already begun flying around — before this busy offseason for the Orlando Magic.

Yes, the Magic have created maximum cap space and figure to be big players in the free agency market. They are likely going to try to go after some of the big fish both in free agency and in trades, using their cap room in every way they can to improve the roster.

As Rob Hennigan has said, he is not going to rush into anything or force his way through the cap space. It is still about finding the right players to complement this core and add to the roster he has built. There are lots of ways to improve the roster, but maintaining some flexibility is key too.

That will not stop the rumor mill churning. And it will not stop fans from glomming onto ideas put out there and the endless possibilities.

There has been plenty written and said about Dwight Howard’s reported interest in returning to Orlando. It is something that has begun to dominate the Orlando Magic’s free agency narrative.

From another view though, it is a sign that someone of some stature wants to come to Orlando. The concern for the Magic, to some extent, is they may not be able to attract that big incoming free agent after winning 35 games last year and missing the Playoff for four straight years.

To be a place someone wants to be? That is a sign someone sees something in this Magic group.

That is the spin Victor Oladipo put on the rumors about Dwight Howard’s desire to return to Orlando in an interview with Bright House Sports Network’s Despina Barton on Monday:

"Barton: Earlier this year back in February, there were some trade deadline rumors. Your name was thrown in the mix, but you were secure throughout. Now Dwight Howard’s name is thrown in the mix of coming here. What is your take on all that?Oladipo: I don’t have anything to do with that. Honestly, I couldn’t say it would be a bad move. It wouldn’t be up to me obviously. It just goes to show you I think there are players who do want to come play with us."

This is a pretty diplomatic answer. It is probably all he can say. Yes, adding a player of Howard’s potential to this group would be nice, but he is not getting into the specifics how or what that would mean for teammates. Players want to play with other talented players, and if they can help, all the better.

But that second part is certainly a big part of things too. The Magic need some free agent to believe in this group and what it can be and invest in them. And it has to be about something more than money, because everyone has money to spend this summer.

Creating that belief in this roster is going to have to be part of Rob Hennigan’s recruiting pitch whenever he gets in the room with his main targets. The selling job has to be on what this current group has to offer and what direction the Magic go.

Next: Victor Oladipo nominated for Community Assist Award

The Magic will want someone who chooses to be in Orlando for all those reasons.