Orlando Magic Trade Rumors: 3 things to expect before the trade deadline

The Orlando Magic have been one of the worst performing NBA teams over the last decade. However, the team entered the season with the belief that they would be competing for a playoff spot. The franchise has focused on attracting and developing young talent over the last few years, and the Magic believed that the likes of Aaron Gordon and Mo Bamba could lead the team to a first playoff appearance since 2012.

Nevertheless, the Magic have shown little signs of improvement, and the team currently sit well outside the playoff places with a 21-31 record. While the Magic still have an outside chance of making the 2019 postseason, it looks like a tough ask at this point, and the Magic will most likely miss out for a seventh consecutive season.

The February trade window will close later this week, and due to the team's current position, arguments can be made for the Magic to become both sellers and buyers. In reality, the Magic will mostly be dealing with outgoings, and here we will look at three things that we expect from the Magic in the final week of the trade window.

#3 Terrence Ross exits the team

While the Orlando Magic have once again disappointed this season, a number of the current roster have performed well above expectations. Among these is Terrence Ross, who has been excellent so far this year. The 27-year-old is currently averaging 14.3 points, and 3.3 rebounds per game and Ross is finally living up to the potential he showed during his college years.

Nevertheless, Ross will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the former Raptors man is attracting interest from teams such as the OKC Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers. Contending teams are likely to put together good packages for Ross, and the Magic will be willing to trade the guard away rather than losing him for nothing in the summer.

#2 The Magic fail to sign a point guard

If you ask any Orlando Magic fan what they think the team is missing the most, the answer will always be the same. The point guard position has long been an issue for the Magic, and the team is currently starting 31-year-old D.J. Augustin, who until this season had been a back up for his entire career.

There are currently a number of promising young point guards that are available around the league such as the Boston Celtic's Terry Rozier, however, the Magic are still unlikely to sign a new playmaker ahead of the deadline. The franchise has been extremely reluctant to make a move all season long, and it seems as though the Magic will now wait until the summer, as adding a point guard now is unlikely to propel Orlando into the 2019 playoffs.

#1 Nikola Vucevic stays in Orlando

Nikola Vucevic has been the Orlando Magic's best player of the season so far. The recently named All-Star is currently averaging 20.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, although the Montenegrin's performances haven't been enough to propel the Magic into the playoff places.

Vucevic's contract with the Magic expires in the summer, however, Vucevic's trade value is currently at an all-time high, and the Magic won't be willing to let him leave on the cheap. Due to this, there have been few reports of trade interest in the big man, and most contending teams around the league are also covered at the center position.

This means that Vucevic is likely to stick around in Orlando until at least the summer, and if the 28-year-old eventually agrees to an extension, the Magic may have to part with rookie Mohamed Bamba.