Orlando Magic trade rumors 2016: Team desperately looking to trade with Clippers?

Josh Smith and Blake GriffinReuters

As the young Orlando Magic continue to fight in the tight Eastern Conference, the team is searching hard for a trade that aims to improve the present roster and is trying to reach a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

In a tweet posted last Tuesday, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders said, "You can add the Magic to the list of teams trying to get the Clippers to engage on a trade... they are swinging for the fences."

Kyler followed it up with another post and stated, "Magic have kept no secret that they are looking for a major trade. Atlanta, Boston, Milwaukee, Clippers all in the mix."

Orlando is a team that has a young talented core and competed well early in the 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) season.  However, the Magic are struggling as of late and have won only four of the 20 games they have played this 2016. 

A once contending team in the East, the Magic are now 11th in the standings with a 23–29 record and are fighting for the eighth and last playoff spot currently held by the Charlotte Hornets. 

This may have led to the organization's desire to get a trade deal accomplished, with the Clippers, before the deadline. 

However, Sports Illustrated's Fansided (Clipperholics), stated that the only player the Magic wants on the Clippers roster is former All-Star forward Blake Griffin. Unless it is Griffin, it is unlikely that the Magic, or the Clippers, will oblige in a trade deal. 

Griffin was linked to trade rumors because of the recent altercation with a member of the Clippers staff that led to a broken hand and an extended time off the court. 

The Clippers are not looking to ship Griffin to other teams since they still consider him as a championship piece along with All-Star point guard Chris Paul and center DeAndre Jordan. 

This gives Orlando the hint that if they want a deal done, Los Angeles is not a possible trade partner.