5 Players Orlando Magic Are Most Likely to Target in a Potential Trade

In the midst of a 2-5 start in the young NBA season, the rebuilding Orlando Magic could use some help at numerous positions on the court. The process has already begun. 

Coming off a 23-59 season, the Magic secured two dynamic top-10 selections from the 2014 NBA draft—point guard Elfrid Payton and freak athlete Aaron Gordon—to add to an already-formidable young core of Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris and 2013 No. 2 overall pick Victor Oladipo. 

The Magic rank in the bottom 10 among all NBA teams in both offense and defense. They need help on both ends of the floor, but they need players who fit with the long-term vision of the team.

There are young players with cap-friendly contracts out there who could come and contribute both in the short term and down the road when the team is ready to compete for championships. 

With the point guard of the future and a veteran backup in place, let's focus on the two areas this team can and should improve upon: playmaking wings and frontcourt depth.

These rankings will take into account the player's fit within the roster, how likely it is that his current team will move him, as well as any potential financial hurdles. 

Here are five players who should be on the Magic's radar and can fit in nicely with the pieces Orlando already has in place.

5. Rudy Gay

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Let's start with a long shot. 

Rudy Gay is unlikely to be moved while the Sacramento Kings continue on their early torrid pace this season, but he's a name that's never too far removed from hypothetical trade discussions. 

His stench, so to speak, has subsided considerably in recent months. After his departure from Toronto last season essentially springboarded the Raptors into playoff contenders, the much-maligned small forward has settled in nicely this season with the Kings. 

He's second on the team in points and assists. His 37.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc is the highest it's been since the 2010-11 season. 

Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee reported back in September that Gay and the Kings began contract extensions over the summer. While Sacramento hopes to keep him beyond the 2014-15 season, the threat of him leaving as an unrestricted free agent is always a tightrope teams are hesitant to walk. 

If the Kings fall back to earth and are looking to unload Gay's massive $19 million expiring contract at the deadline, what's to stop Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan from making that call?

While the Magic will not likely part with the players and contracts necessary to facilitate a trade, this is the type of player they should target. Yes, there are cheaper, better options out there, but Gay is a very solid player who could contribute immediately.

4. Greg Monroe

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Greg Monroe decided to accept a one-year qualifying offer with the Detroit Pistons this summer, passing on the security of a multiyear deal and gambling on himself so he could test the free-agent market in 2015. 

Monroe has not disappointed in the early going this season. He's currently tallying career highs in points and rebounds, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field—his best since the 2011-12 campaign. 

Even after hiring Stan Van Gundy as head coach, the Pistons are sitting at 2-5, just one game ahead of the last-place Indiana Pacers in the Central Division. As the wheels continue to slide off, the inevitable trade chatter will turn to Monroe and his teammate, Josh Smith. 

Monroe, still just 24 years old, is a more sound rebounder and consistent scorer than the erratic Smith. Not to mention his $5.47 million contract is far more attractive than the two-year, $27 million albatross still owed to Smith. 

By accepting the qualifying offer, he cannot be traded without his consent. However, a situation in which he can play alongside a versatile big like Vucevic on a Magic team that's building for long-term success might be the right situation for him. 

USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt reported back in September about Monroe's, and agent David Falk's, decision to skip out on the guaranteed money for the freedom of free agency: 

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But Falk also believes this just isn't about the money. It's about giving Monroe the opportunity to choose his next team, whether it's due to a coach he'd like to play for, players he'd like to play with or a city he'd like to play in. Falk has also been impressed with Monroe's thoughtful, reasoned approach to free agency.

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The Magic and the rest of the league know the 6'11" Monroe is out of the Motor City after this season, so why not try and get him at the deadline a few months before he tests out those seductive free-agent waters? 

3. Corey Brewer

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At 28 years old, Corey Brewer still possesses prime-time athleticism and defensive range. Unfortunately for Brewer, the wing has gotten pretty crowded with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he looks like the piece most likely to be moved. He could fit in well with what the Magic are building. 

Over the summer, the Timberwolves traded for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young, all guys who can log minutes at Brewer's small forward position. Chase Budinger is still there, too. 

Wiggins is a big part of the future in Minnesota. He will get plenty of time on the court so as to not stunt his development. Bennett, who slimmed down after a dreadful rookie season, also needs playing time. These two, in addition to Young—a guy they coveted in the offseason—make Brewer dispensable. 

Brewer showed last April, when he dropped 51 points on the Houston Rockets, that he can still fill it up when called upon, but he averages a modest 10 points and three rebounds per game for his career. He can run the floor and defend along the wing very well. 

For a team lacking explosion on the perimeter, Brewer not only fits a need, but he could carve out a spot for himself going forward on this rebuilding roster.

He could provide another defensive presence alongside Oladipo, and the offense wouldn't suffer while he's on the court. Plus, his $4.7 million contract with a player option next season isn't crippling. 

Grantland's Zach Lowe alluded to the possibility of Brewer being dealt at some point this year in an October column. The Magic could be the team that lands him.

2. Gerald Henderson

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Gerald Henderson's time in North Carolina might finally be coming to a close. 

The Charlotte Hornets became big players in the free-agent market this past summer, signing Marvin Williams to a two-year contract and then Lance Stephenson to a three-year deal. In addition, they drafted sharpshooter P.J. Hairston.

This leaves Henderson as the odd man out on the wing. 

After starting all but 10 games in the past three seasons, Henderson has started just two of the Hornets' six games so far this year, thanks in large part to their new additions. 

Never an elite shooter, Henderson hovered around 45 percent for the past four seasons before plummeting to 39 percent this year. A career 11.8 PPG scorer, he's now only averaging four points in 16 minutes, both the lowest numbers of his career since his rookie season. 

With Charlotte ready to take the next step as a franchise with Stephenson, Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson as its cornerstone pieces, the former first-round pick sees the writing on the wall. He received the dreaded "DNP-Coach's Decision" last Friday in an effort to get Hairston more playing time.

It was the first time since his rookie season under coach Larry Brown that he was benched, per The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell. 

Henderson has a $6 million player option next season, which he's sure to pick up considering his play and diminishing role. A fresh start with a team on the rise could be the right spot for him.

At just 26 years old, he still has room to grow, and Orlando is just as good an opportunity as any. 

1. Andre Iguodala

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Andre Iguodala is an ideal trade target who can help fill multiple need areas, particularly on a defense that ranks 19th in opponents' points per game and 22nd in steals so far this season. 

He's still very much an elite perimeter defender. His length and athleticism wreak havoc on opposing wings. An Iguodala/Oladipo/Payton trio along the three-point line would be a nightmare for ball-handlers. 

Offensively, he's a skilled slasher and finisher around the rim. He's a career 33 percent shooter from three-point range who can knock down an open look when given the opportunity, but he's much more effective running the floor and using his defense to create offense. 

As someone who started all 758 games of his first 10 years in the league, Iguodala has been relegated to a bench role with the Golden State Warriors during the first six games of this season.

In a small sample size, Iguodala has seen his numbers dip across the board—minutes, points, rebounds and assists are all at career lows under new head coach Steve Kerr. 

Iguodala isn't one to stir the pot, particularly when a team is 5-1 like Golden State is, but a talented veteran player in the midst of a four-year, $48 million contract is very attractive to a team like Orlando.

He's saying all the right things now and being very diplomatic about the situation, per Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group:

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It's just growing up, being smart about the situation. You could do the opposite and kind of just tank it just to say that it's wrong. But like I said, our whole focus with this team is to try to continue to improve and make the most out of our unit, and we have so much depth, there are opportunities for us to get where everybody wants to be.

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While it would be difficult for Golden State to part with a key piece this season, it may not take long for Iguodala's bench role to wear on him. It's a situation to monitor this season for Magic fans. 

All statistical information current as of November 10, 2014. Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com. Contract information courtesy of Sham Sports unless otherwise noted. 

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