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USA TODAY: Orlando Magic could really use Kyrie Irving

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 13: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the game on December 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 13: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the game on December 13, 2013 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Trade rumors are swirling throughout the NBA and Orlando Magic fans desperately want a star. That much is clear in this Kyrie Irving saga.

The Orlando Magic put a flourish on their offseason this past week by signing Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights to veterans minimum contracts and adding promising young big Khem Birch too. It was a surprisingly active offseason for the team to bolster the bench.

The team did not accomplish what many fans wanted it to do. It may have been extremely difficult for the Magic to accomplish that goal.

Orlando seems likely to go into the season with the same starting lineup as last year. To many, that is still a group that won 29 games last year and also eight of the final 24 games after the All-Star Break. There were positive signs from that team but who knows if it can actually work.

Magic fans have been hungry for a winner. It is one of the reasons the team pushed for the splashy moves it made last summer — leaving the team a bit over leveraged now after the poor season the team had. That notion has not gone away. Fans want to see a winner now.

Orlando has hit some all-time franchise lows. This is the longest playoff drought in franchise history. And the longest stretch without an All Star in Magic history.

Everyone knows eventually the Magic will have to develop a star or find a star to compete seriously. One may not come even if the team somehow scrounges up enough wins to make it into the back half of the Playoffs.

It is always the case, fans will clamor for the team to pursue star players. They sell tickets and give fans a reason to watch — even through some losing. And Kyrie Irving’s recent surprising trade request from the Cleveland Cavaliers has everyone running to the Trade Machine.

There are no indications the Magic are indeed chasing Irving. As any organization would, they were likely among the reported 20 teams who contacted the Cavaliers about Irving, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The Magic are not one of the teams Wojnarowski reports are in serious talks with the Cavaliers as the Cavaliers weigh their options.

There is no doubt though Orlando could use the infusion of star power Irving would provide. It is why Adi Joseph of USA TODAY listed the Magic second among the teams who could most use Irving:

"The Magic are an intriguing destination for several reasons. They have very little in the way of offensive skill on the roster, but they could hold onto an elite defensive core even with a reasonable trade offer. They have a decent point guard — Elfrid Payton, who had a very strong second half — and enough other assets to get a deal done. The Cavaliers likely would want either Aaron Gordon or Jonathan Isaac and either Bismack Biyombo or Nikola Vucevic, but the Magic might be able to get away with only giving up Payton, one of the centers and a pick or another young player (Mario Hezonja?). If that works out, this roster makes a lot more sense with a player like Irving running the offense."

Orlando could no doubt use a star player like Irving. There is no getting around this fact. He averaged 25.2 points per game and 5.8 assists per game last year. He took over games for the Cavaliers and is a critical part of their championship run.

Irving seems to be protecting himself some by asserting some leverage before LeBron James‘ free agency next summer. With two years left on his contract, he is hoping to give his new team time to surround him with something to convince him to stay.

That has some Magic fans thinking they could be that team.

Orlando undoubtedly would have to give up a lot to acquire a player like Irving. Players like Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac have to be on the table in addition to trading some big salaries like Nikola Vucevic or Evan Fournier. Orlando might also have to take on some bad salary in return — think Iman Shumpert.

There are a lot of questions about whether the Magic would sacrifice a lot of future assets to get Irving for two years. The answer to that question might depend on how much salary the team could free up for the summer of 2018 to find a suitable pair for Irving.

And then the next question is whether the Magic have anything the Cavaliers would want. Cleveland, after all, is still trying to win championships. It is hard to see the Magic offering anything that can help the Cavaliers win a title more than Irving. Or more than any other team can offer.

Orlando definitely still needs a star. And Jeff Weltman would not be doing his job if he did not sniff around. But it still seems unlikely the team would make this specific move.

Next: Marreese Speights lives his dream after reaching the top

But with all the veterans and depth the Magic have built in the last few weeks, they have the roster flexibility to make some moves to try to improve the roster. Expect Orlando to be active at the trade deadline when the market shifts again.