NBA Trade Rumors: Top 3 players Magic could acquire by tradi

Nikola Vucevic (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)

Nikola Vucevic is becoming the likely odd man out in Orlando as the team continues its search for a proven wing scorer.

The Magic are expected to explore the trade market for a scorer, but doing so could be at the expense of center Nikola Vucevic, who is becoming the likely odd man out in Orlando, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Like Us on Facebook

‎"The corresponding expectation in league circles is that the Magic will try to move a big man to make that happen, with Nikola Vucevic continuing to rank as the most likely of Orlando's bigs to depart because Serge Ibaka is headed for free agency in July (which complicates trading him) and with Bismack Biyombo only in the first year of a four-year, $68 million deal bound to put some teams off," Stein wrote.

Vucevic's minutes at the frontcourt has been reduced this season since acquiring Biyombo and Ibaka this offseason. But Vucevic, who is averaging 13.8 points and 9.7 rebounds a game, would still be a valuable addition to contenders due to scoring and rebounding game.

With that being said, it won't be too difficult for the Magic to find a trade partner for Vucevic, considering his value and the 26-year-old's team-friendly contract worth $35 million in the next three years. However, there are only a handful of scorers in the market the Magic could pursue at such price.

Lou Williams, Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are in no way making the playoffs, with the team currently at the bottom of the Western Conference. But that does not mean Los Angeles would stand pat at the trade deadline, especially having valuable trade chips on their roster.

Among the possible trade candidates for the Lakers is Lou Williams, who has been the team's most consistent and reliable scorer this season. Williams is averaging a career-high 18.2 points a game on 43.7 percent shooting from the field, which would do wonders for the Magic, who lack a prolific scorer at the backcourt.

Adding Williams is a move Orlando should explore, although it is unlikely the Lakers acquire another scoring big man in return.

Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers need Crawford badly if they are to contend in the postseason, but recent reports have linked the veteran guard to a potential move, particularly in a proposed blockbuster deal involving New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.

Crawford isn't in his best form this season, only averaging 11.8 points a game, while shooting 39.2 percent from the field, including 32.0 from beyond the arc. But his addition would still help in giving the Magic a more fluid offense, and a fit to help the team's big men score inside the paint.

While it is unclear whether the Clippers would want to trade Crawford for second-tier players, the Magic should consider Los Angeles' recent attempts as a sign that the super-sub could be available at the right price.

Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are doing fine in the East, with the team only a few games behind the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ross has been instrumental in Toronto's success in the regular season, but it is no secret the Raptors still need to tinker their roster to compete will in the postseason.

Ross has been mentioned by ESPN's Brian Windhorst as a piece in a potential deal for Atlanta Hawks All-Star Paul Millsap. There were no discussions made about such move, but like other untouchable players from, Ross could be available at the right price.

Vucevic, meanwhile, may not exactly be who the Raptors need. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Raptors have consistently been interested in Serge Ibaka, but not at the expense of Ross.

"In the East, both the Celtics and Raptors need some frontcourt defensive depth, and Toronto has been consistently interested in having Ibaka fill its power forward void. The Raptors are not much interested in giving up fifth-year swingman Terrence Ross (who is having his best NBA season) for Ibaka, though, a source said," Deveney wrote.

If the Raptors would not budge trading Ross for Ibaka, there is a slim chance they trade the former for Vucevic. But following Vucevic's impressive performance in Orlando's game against Toronto, his skillset is something the Raptors may consider adding before the trade deadline.

Video courtesy: YouTube/DownToBuck