Rumors are out that the Orlando Magic could target Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Allen Crabbe before the trade deadline as the team is reportedly searching for scorers to add to their roster in midseason.
Orlando is presently ranked 29th in the NBA in terms of points per game with 93.2, 29th in offensive rating with 96.8, and dead last in points per possession with 1.11, as per Inquisitr. Their offensive struggles have clearly not helped them in their campaign this season as the team lurks 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 10-13 record.
Right now, the Magic are mostly relying on shooting guard Evan Fournier and Serge Ibaka in the offensive end, with the two players averaging 17.2 and 14.8 points per game respectively, which are some of the lowest averages for the scoring leaders of a team.
The need for an additional scorer is evident as other starters Nikola Vucevic and Elfrid Payton are the only other players scoring in double figures for Orlando with 12.5 and 10.0 points per game.
The biggest issue for Magic head coach Frank Vogel, though, is his team's lack of a "go-to scorer" that could provide the points in clutch situations even when their set offensive patterns are not executed perfectly.
Fansided suggested the Blazers' Crabbe as one possible option for Orlando to pursue. The 24-year-old wingman is having a solid season so far with averages of 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 27.9 minutes a night, but he is not being given a lot of opportunities playing behind Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Evan Turner in the depth chart.
Crabbe is shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from beyond the three-point line, which is quite high.
Rumors are out that the Magic is ready to trade Ibaka and Payton for the scorer that they wanted. Orlando will definitely get more than Crabbe if they decide to deal Ibaka.
The former California Golden Bears standout is said to be an ideal fit with the young Magic squad while Ibaka will solve the interior defense issues of the Blazers so the proposed trade should be a win-win for both teams.
