Arron Afflalo Reportedly Open to Being Traded to Playoff Team

Mar 19, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Orlando Magic guard

(4) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns forward

(15) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Arron Afflalo rumour mill is in full effect.

According to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, Afflalo “wouldn’t mind being moved to a playoff team.”

It’s hardly surprising.

The 29-year-old has performed at an all-star level the last two seasons in Orlando since being acquired from the Denver Nuggets in the four-team Dwight Howard trade.

In his two seasons in Orlando, Afflalo has averaged 17.4 points per game, and just last season averaged a career high 18.2 PPG.

In his seven seasons in the NBA, Afflalo’s PPG average has risen every year he has been in the association.

The fact that he’s open to being traded to a playoff team doesn’t come as a shock. Afflalo has never played better basketball and his desire to move to a competitive team, rather than stay another year in Orlando as they continue to rebuild, isn’t surprising.

Afflalo is one of the best bargains in the league as next year he is schedule to make a little above $7.5 million.

The Magic have the fourth and twelfth overall pick in this month’s draft. Taking a point guard has long been rumoured, which could in turn mean Orlando move Victor Oladipo to shooting guard, the position Afflalo currently employs.

However, the Magic will surely be hesitant to trade their best player especially since he is on a manageable salary. His contract for 2015/16, which is for just short of $8 million, is a player option that could force the Magic’s hand at some point down the line, especially if they haven’t made significant improvements on the court.

With a few offseason acquisitions, the Magic could certainly make a run to the postseason in 2014/15, but Afflalo may be more interested in joining a team with a better chance of competing for an NBA title.