NBA Rumors: 3 players that the Orlando Magic are currently targeting

The 2018-19 season marked the first time that the Orlando Magic reached the playoffs since 2012. Entering the season, the Magic were amidst one of the NBA's longest postseason droughts, although the team's promising young core finally produced on the court to cement a first playoff appearance since Dwight Howard left to join the Lakers.

The Magic went on to lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Toronto Raptors, however, after years of struggle - the future finally looks promising for the franchise.

Nevertheless, the Magic will want to build on a promising campaign this summer, and improvements to the roster are likely. So, as we head towards the offseason, here are three players being linked with a move to Orlando:

#3 Rodney Hood

Rodney Hood impressed for the Portland Trail Blazers during their run to the Western Conference Finals

Back in February, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Rodney Hood from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Wade Baldwin IV, Nik Stauskas and two future second-round draft picks. However, the 26-year-old will hit free agency later this month, and Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes the Magic could be interested in completing a deal:

Carrying free-agent holds for Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross leaves the Magic to function over the cap. They'll most likely have the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception, but that changes if it costs big bucks to re-sign the other two.

And that's just as well. The Magic aren't secure enough in their Eastern Conference standing to throw lucrative contracts at free agents.

Rodney Hood is a low-end solution to their shot-creation deficit. He put down 36 percent of his pull-up threes during the regular season and came up huge for the Blazers in the playoffs as both a situational attacker and spot-up sniper.

Hood made an immediate impact in Portland, averaging 9.6 points and shooting 45% from the field during the regular season. He also played a key role in the Trail Blazers' trip to the West Finals.

#2 Frank Ntilikina

Frank Ntilikina is likely to be forced out by the Knicks this summer

The New York Knicks are hopeful of signing a new All-Star point guard this summer, and a number of the current roster is likely to make way. Among them is 20-year-old guard Frank Ntilikina, and Joe Pantorno of Metro Bet believes that the Magic are in contention to secure his signature:

Ntilikina's name came up in trade talks before the NBA's February deadline, but the Knicks were unable to get anything done despite interest from multiple teams.

The Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns were just two of the teams linked to Ntilikina around the trade deadline and could circle back once again next month. Orlando acquired Markelle Fultz last season, but adding Ntilikina could provide some youthful insurance should the former No. 1 pick's progress continue to stall.

Ntilikina was selected by the Knicks with the 8th pick in the 2017 draft. During his two seasons with the team, he has appeared in 121 games, averaging 5.9 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game.

#1 Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker will be among the 2019 offseasons most in-demand free agents

Following a promising season, most analysts around the league believe that the Magic will focus on developing their young core rather than making major acquisitions. However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders is reporting that the Magic hold an interest in Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.

All things being equal -- Not sure there will be much of a market for DeMarcus (Cousins)... as for Kemba (Walker). I know the Magic, Pacers, Knicks, and Lakers have an interest... Charlotte still wants him and can now Supermax him.

Walker has spent his entire eight-year career with the Hornets, although the 29-year-old has been to the playoffs just twice. During the 2018-19 season, he averaged 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Walker will hit free agency later this summer and is eligible for a supermax deal after being named to the All-NBA Third Team.