NBA Rumors: Jameer Nelson wants to stay with Orlando Magic

Mar 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson (14) talks with referee Kevin Scott (79) during a timeout in the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson (14) talks with referee Kevin Scott (79) during a timeout in the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic are looking at an offseason in which they will need to find ways to improve their young roster and make sure that it makes strides and doesn’t take setbacks. One way to make sure a young roster works together is to have veteran talent surrounding it and that’s where Jameer Nelson comes into the equation for the Orlando Magic.

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Nelson was the subject of trade rumors not long ago and there was talk of maybe even buying him out but neither of those conversations got very far before we were reminded of how much Nelson desires to stay in Orlando next season. The big question there though is whether or not the Magic want him back or if they’ll move to get rid of him this summer?

As talks of jettisoning Nelson are being brought up outside the organization again, so too are talks that Nelson wants to stay in Orlando.

Nelson is the type of veteran leader the Magic need and won’t have if they cut ties with him. Arron Afflalo is a veteran but he’s hardly the long-tenured leader that Nelson has become over the years as his time with the Magic dates back to the high flying Dwight Howard years and the shell-shocked low years that followed.

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He may not be the best veteran leader in the NBA but he’s the best the Magic have and he happens to be perfect for them. Getting rid of him is an option this offseason but he wants to stay and that’s the olive branch the Magic should be looking for when talking about bringing him back to help mentor what will be a very young team.