The Orlando Magic are reportedly open to trading former All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson for a first-round draft pick, a reliable league source disclosed on Saturday.
ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Magic is asking a first-round pick probably in next year's loaded draft as compensation for trading away Nelson, who averaged 15 points and 7.5 assists through his first two games of the season.
According to Shamsports.com, the 31-year-old Nelson has two years remaining on his current deal with the first year valued at $8.6 million while the second at $2 million.
Magic Wants To Go Young at Heart
The tandem of Nelson and Dwight Howard served as the core of the Magic's postseason runs years back. But with the All-Star big man long gone, Magic general manager Rob Hennigan wants his team to go young and build for the future.
SB Nation reported the Magic originally intended to draft Oklahoma State Cowboys hotshot Marcus Smart in last April's draft. However, the All-American decided to play one more season in college before putting his name in next year's loaded NBA Draft.
The Magic, who drafted shooting guard Victor Oladipo with the second overall pick in 2013, might be envisioning a young and lethal backcourt with Smart playing at the point.
"The Magic were reportedly "heartbroken" when Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart decided to stay for a second year in college. Orlando intended to draft the breakout point guard if they had won the draft lottery. They did not win it though, Smart stayed another year with the Cowboys, and the Magic instead drafted Victor Oladipo with the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft," SB Nation's Drew Garrison stated in his article.
Hooking up with the Rockets
With almost all teams locking up their picks for next year's draft, the Magic could likely get their first round pick from a contender, and the Rockets sound like an ideal trade partner. According Pro-Sports Transactions, the Rockets still have a 2014 first round pick at their disposal.
Despite winning their first two games of the season, the Rockets still lacked a solid playmaker, aside from James Harden, who can control their run-and-gun tempo. Jeremy Lin has been efficient as a "scorer" while defensive guard Patrick Beverley is on shelf with a rib injury.
The Nelson-and-Howard connection was a dominant force in the Eastern Conference for quite some time, and there's no reason not to think that it might probably work as well in the Western Conference with the up-and-coming Rockets.