NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Interested In Miami Heat Guard Goran Dragic — Could Offer Aaron Gordon

Is Goran Dragic on the move to the Orlando Magic?

There are some rumblings in the NBA trade rumor mill about how the Miami Heat are entertaining offers (courtesy of The Oregonian) for their star point guard, among others. If the Heat receive the type of offers that they deem suitable, look for Goran Dragic, as well as a few other Miami Heat players to switch teams.

According to a podcast by Zach Lowe of ESPN, any Miami Heat player can be had in a deal. Lowe stated that there were no exceptions.

“Up and down the roster, literally every player. Literally no one is untouchable, not even Hassan Whiteside, by a long shot.”

With the news that the Miami Heat may want to purge their roster, several teams have called them in regards to some of their players. It is a certainty that the Heat have received calls about their best players Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic. Among the teams that have exhibited their interests in Heat players, the Orlando Magic are one of those teams inquiring about Dragic.

Just over a month from now the NBA trade deadline will have come and gone. By the time the deadline is over will the Magic become Dragic’s new team? It could actually happen.

Per one of the NBA trade rumors that ESPN is floating around, the Orlando Magic have a strong interest in acquiring Goran Dragic from the Miami Heat. The Magic have made an offer, or at least kicked the tires on a Goran Dragic trade. Of all the teams that could deal for Goran Dragic, the Orlando Magic have the pieces in place to make an impactful offer. The question which lingers is what would the Miami Heat want in return.

The #Magic reportedly have inquired about the #Heat’s Goran Dragic: https://t.co/wc0tkRV4Q8

— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) January 13, 2017

What the ESPN report did do was justify the reasons why the Heat should trade Dragic. It also confirms the Magic as one of the teams with desires for the crafty point guard. Expect a bidding war, which will result in a hefty return for the Heat.

“Flipping Dragic for future assets was their most obvious path to the bottom, but Miami’s injury situation has gotten so ugly, they don’t even have to do that! They’re 11-29, ahead of only the Nets. Teams will express interest in Dragic ahead of the trade deadline — a bunch, including the Magic, already did, per league sources — but Miami can hold out for a hefty return. They gave up a ton for Dragic, and they’d need to save face in any teardown trade.”

The Orlando Magic can offer two of their young players and a draft pick for Dragic. Look for the Magic to dangle either Aaron Gordon or Nikola Vucevic as one of their trade chips as they attempt to pry Dragic from the Miami Heat.

If the Magic’s offer centers around Gordon, another young player such as Mario Hezonja or Evan Fournier may also be included in the trade talks. Gordon while being athletic, with a high ceiling, is not yet playing at a consistent rate.

Gordon has the most potential on the Magic, which can sell the Heat idea of an Aaron Gordon and Hassan Whiteside frontcourt. The Magic including shooters Hezonja or Fournier would help address the Heat’s need for wing players.

A trade offer from the Magic that would center around Nikola Vucevic, on paper resembles a player for player swap. It would still require additional assets going back to the Heat. The Magic’s Hezonja could still be in play if Vucevic is the highlight of a Magic and Heat swap.

The big difference between the Magic’s Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic is that the latter has put up all-star level numbers for the past couple of seasons. A frontcourt of Vucevic and Whiteside would be a formidable one, with Whiteside moving over to power forward.

What type of draft picks the Orlando Magic offer the Miami Heat may become the difference in a trade happening between those teams.

It took the Heat to offer the Sacramento Kings two first rounders to get Goran Dragic. They may want the same in return. Whether it is warranted or not, the Heat are in the driver’s seat. They can afford to ask for that much.

The Orlando Magic are in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots in a weak Eastern Conference. Parity is the Magic’s best friend these days. Whatever move the Magic can make in order to take the next leap forward will be helpful for their franchise going forward. Many of the Magic’s moves prior to the season has been leading up to a big push for the NBA playoffs. One huge move by the Orlando Magic could make that reality.

That huge move from the Orlando Magic could be the acquisition of Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic. Of the teams that will be in play for Dragic, the Magic have as good of a chance to get him as anybody else.

[Featured Image by Manuela Davies/Getty Images]