NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players that could leave the Orlando Magic this month

The Orlando Magic reached the NBA Finals back in 2009, however, the team has been in free fall ever since. In the aftermath of their Finals defeat to the Lakers, the Magic suffered three years of early playoff series defeats, and since Dwight Howard departed in 2012, the Magic have failed to reach the postseason at all.

The Magic have also only won more than 30 games in a season on one occasion (2015-2016), and due to this, the franchise has recently changed their approach. After a number of high profile trades failed to work out, the Magic are now focused on acquiring young players, and the teams current talented young roster is currently keeping Orlando in the playoff hunt. At the midway point of the season, the Magic are just one game back from the playoffs, with a 19-24 record.

Nevertheless, a number of Orlando Magic players are being linked with a move away from the team and here we will look at three members of the roster that may leave the team this month.

#3 Jonathon Simmons

Jonathon Simmons is currently in the second season of a three-year, $20 million contract with the team back in 2017, although the shooting guard has failed to break into the Magic's starting five, and the 29-year-old is being linked with an imminent trade:

Magic guard Jonothan Simmons is expected to enter the potential trade market this season, rival teams believe. Simmons, who is in the second year of a three-year deal with the Magic, has seen his minutes diminish this season

Simmons is currently averaging just 20.7 minutes per game, and despite the Magic's lack of depth or competition at the point guard position, Simmons has made only seven starts. Ultimately, Simmons is among the higher earners on the Magic roster, and a trade makes sense for all parties.

#2 Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic is currently enjoying the best year of his career with the Magic, and CBS Sports is reporting that Vucevic's performances have not gone unnoticed:

With all of the young assets that the Magic have stockpiled in the front court, it seems almost certain that Vucevic will be moved. With his contract ending this year and his unique ability to play down low as well as outside, he will be a valuable asset for any playoff-bound team looking to add a useful piece.

As mentioned in the report, Vucevic's contract will expire in the summer, so the Montenegrin could turn out to be one of the best players available for trade this month. The center has kept rookie Mo Bamba out of the Magic team all season long, and Vucevic is currently averaging 20.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Alongside Aaron Gordon, Vucevic is the Magic's best player, so the franchise needs to either convince the center to pledge his future to the team or trade him away while they can still get something in return.

#1 Terrence Ross

After years of struggling to establish himself as a key player in Toronto with the Raptors, Terrence Ross has exploded during his 18 months in Orlando. The 27-year-old is currently averaging 13.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting .391 from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, Ross will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and due to this, the former University of Washington man is being linked with a trade to a fellow contender this month:

The Pelicans have shown interest in Orlando small forward Terrence Ross, who has had a career year, but is a free agent this summer and uncertain to re-sign with the Magic. Orlando has been reluctant to deal Ross as the team has been within range of a playoff spot, but four straight losses have left the Magic seven games under .500 and perhaps ready to give up the postseason dream and get back to the long-term rebuilding project.

While trading Ross could be shortsighted, the Magic may already have implications that the Ross won't resign with the team this summer. If this is the case, and Orlando are out of contention by the end of January, a trade looks incredibly likely.