NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Wise to Seek Veterans for Dwight Howard

The Orlando Magic are not in a position where they need to rebuild and look for young, inexpensive players. They're not that kind of small-market team. 

No, while not on par with cities like New York, Los Angels, Chicago, Boston and Miami, Orlando has a lot going for it. It's a warm weather city in a great location. Florida's tax laws are second to none. Just because Dwight Howard doesn't want to stay doesn't mean that other elite players won't want to come in. 

Rather than build around young players and draft picks like other small-market teams (Oklahoma City) have done, the Magic are asking for veteran players for Howard, at least according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

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Sources familiar with Orlando's thinking say that a picture of what the Magic will ultimately expect in return for their anchor has indeed begun to emerge, telling ESPN.com this week that Orlando would not hold out for youth and draft picks as the league-owned New Orleans Hornets were ordered to do in the Chris Paul sweepstakes. The Magic, sources say, would instead prefer to bring back multiple established veterans who can keep the team competitive. 

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This makes sense for more reasons than just the intrigue of Orlando. The Magic are a veteran team. They're dominated by players in their mid- to late-20s, or even older. Trading Howard is one thing, but unloading the rest of that roster to "go young" is nearly impossible.

Those contracts and ages are too hard to move and get rid of.

More importantly, this is a team that's built to win now. Yes, Howard might be dealt, but the kind of veteran players that would be required to get him from Orlando would make the Magic incredibly deep. 

That's what's going to help them win in the playoffs. In addition that, a deep team is what helps a small-market team keep winning. 

Orlando's in a position where it makes sense to continue to try to win now. This isn't a hopeless team, and wouldn't be hopeless even if they lost Howard in free agency.  

They don't have the need to go young. They're right to look for veteran players, even if it hits the cap a little more. When those player's contracts are off the books, the Magic will have money and will be in a strong position to bring in new stars. 

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