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Orlando Magic Trade Rumor: Orlando Interested in Zach Randolph

Sam Smith, who's earned notoriety in his long career on the NBA beat for concocting grandiose trade ideas, writes in his weekly column for the Chicago Bulls' website the Orlando Magic are "reportedly [...] ready to make a huge offer" to the Memphis Grizzlies for Zach Randolph, a one-time All-Star power forward in the final year of his contract.

Randolph, 29, is averaging 20.1 points and 13.3 rebounds, shooting 48.6 percent from the floor for the Grizzlies this season. Orlando, after trading backup center Marcin Gortat to the Phoenix Suns in December, absolutely needs more front-line depth, which the 6-foot-9, 253-pound Randolph would certainly provide.

Smith says the Magic's offer for Randolph includes "players and picks," though he does not specify which ones. Memphis gave hefty contract extensions to point guard with Michael Conley and small forward Rudy Gay prior to the start of the season, meaning those positions aren't areas of need. It'll likely reach a similar agreement with center Marc Gasol sometime this offseason, leaving holes at shooting guard and power forward. Perhaps a package built around J.J. Redick and Brandon Bass would satisfy the Grizzlies' needs, but that is only speculation on my part.

Note here I've classified this story as a "rumor," and not "news," because Smith neither cites sources nor links to an original report.