Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Rumors: Growing sense Orlando Magic names ready to move on

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 6: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on December 6, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 6: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on December 6, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic are expected to be one of the more active teams at the trade deadline. And it seems everyone senses change is on the horizon.

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman maybe said it best in a recent interview with Scott Anez of ESPN Orlando. When a team falls short of expectations, the sharks start to circle. The team has talented players that other teams might want, and the Magic are certainly a team that might want to head in a different direction.

In the interview, Weltman updated where the Magic are at in trade discussions — in the vague way that he can. He said the team is one many are focusing on since it was trying to win and has fallen short. Everyone feels they are ripe to make a deal.

At this stage, everyone is still feeling each other out and figuring out who might be looking to sell off valuable players and who is looking to buy. The Magic are included in that.

And while Weltman will not say the team is close to making a move or would definitely making a move, there is a growing sense the Magic are also hunting for the right deal.

The Magic certainly seem like they will be sellers in this trade market. Every indication is they are searching for deals, albeit it remains the right ones. And nothing yet has emerged. It is still too early for that.

Orlando will be active, by all accounts, though. The team is looking to make something happen and begin pointing the team in the right direction.

Marc Stein of the New York Times seems to think so, writing in his power rankings as he ranked the Magic last:

"Rival executives expect Jeff Weltman, Orlando’s new team president, to aggressively hunt for new homes for the likes of Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, given that Nikola Vucevic’s broken finger is likely to preclude dealing the center."

As executives around the league gathered in Mississauga outside of Toronto last week for the G-League Showcase, trade talks were certainly going to heat up ahead of the February 8 trade deadline. And it appears the Magic’s name constantly pops up.

This is not a team that seems content to sit on its hands this year. They will at least put some flames on the fire. Even if they do not truly take wind until the summer.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports the Magic are indeed looking to make changes. It is something that is popping up from both sides of the trade equation. And it seems the Magic are willing and ready to make some major moves.

It seems like the growing sense is the Magic will move off of Evan Fournier, Elfird Payton or Nikola Vucevic in the near future. And that long-time Magic player Fournier or  Vucevic would even welcome the move to a contender.

"One thing is clear, the team most likely to radically change themselves at the deadline may be the Magic, the question is can they find the kinds of deals – ending contracts and attractive rookie scale players – that allow them to reset the clock on not only the roster but the salary cap."

Kyler writes it seems the Magic are most interested in shedding salary and clearing up their books. That means moving high-priced veterans like Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic or maybe even D.J. Augustin. Bismack Biyombo would be a miracle heave if they can do it.

But the Magic are looking to be active. According to Kyler, it seems no player is untouchable if the right deal comes along. It would be harder, say, to pry away Aaron Gordon but that does not seem impossible. Previous reports suggested the Magic would only take back a proven star for Aaron Gordon.

The surprising thing is that it seems from this reporting, everyone recognizes it is time to move on from this core group of players. The lack of progress, Kyler reports, is frustrating Vucevic and Fournier. It feels that this group has run its course.

Next: Marcin Gortat wants to retire with Orlando Magic

Changing front offices might have been the biggest symbol of that. Now it seems the changes to the roster are going to begin. This year’s trade deadline is going to be an active one for the Magic.