NBA Rumors: Orlando Magic ‘inclined to hang on to’ Arron Afflalo

Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo has been at the center of trade rumors since he was acquired by the Orlando Magic prior to the 2012-2013 season in the Dwight Howard/Andrew Bynum/Andre Iguodala/Nikola Vucevic (he’s averaged a double-double since going to Orlando, so why not throw him in?).

The rumors have ramped up this season because Afflalo is having an excellent season and was a glaring All-Star omission.

Afflalo is averaging averaging 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 46.5% from the field, 42.7% from beyond the arc and 83.0% from the free throw line.

Recently, Sam Amick of the USA Today reported the Magic had “no urgency” to trade Afflalo.

NBA.com’s David Aldridge is hearing similar things.

"Right now, the Magic are inclined to hang on to Afflalo — unless, again, they get a significant talent in return. They don’t see the need to deal Afflalo just because he’s a young veteran and don’t need any more picks. They need to start showing some signs of real improvement next season, and make some kind of playoff push, and trading one’s leading scorer tends to impede that kind of progress. Next season will be the third since the Dwight Howard trade; fans are patient, but only to a point."

The Magic will likely hang on to Afflalo, but a team could get desperate in the next 10 days and make the Magic an offer they can’t refuse.