The NBA trade deadline is on the horizon and will be coming quickly. The Orlando Magic have some big decisions to sort through. We need some help to do it.

The Orlando Magic have said it to themselves and to the public. There is time to make this season right and deliver the Playoff berth the Magic have so desperately sought in the last six years. But without some action on the court, things could slip away pretty quickly.

The Magic stand three games out of the final Playoff spot. They have lost 16 of their last 24 games. That is enough for Orlando to stay in the Playoff race, but the team still has to make its move and make a push.

Time is running out for another reason though.

Orlando has to make its move now and stay in contact at least in the Playoff race during a difficult stretch in the schedule. Come Feb. 7, the Magic will have some big decisions to make off the court.

The trade deadline looms over everything the team does right now. Orlando has big decisions to make — especially with Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, who will both be unrestricted free agents after the season. If the Magic feel they are far out of the Playoff race at that time, they are likely to move on from at least one of them to make sure they recoup some assets.

These are difficult decisions. If the Magic want to remain competitive this year, they do not have much in the way of assets to give up to improve the team. Especially if Orlando is not going to make a push for the Playoffs, they will have to decide now whether they will keep Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic and whether to cash in while they can.

It is an interesting spot for Orlando.

No franchise is probably as desperate to make the Playoffs and give their fans something to get excited about — not to mention build up their young players in meaningful games. But they are also not looking to trade away future assets to accomplish that goal. Orlando still has that sort of half-in, half-out stance to the postseason.

The Magic will be one of the many teams everyone will watch at the trade deadline. They have a lot of assets other teams might want. Orlando will have to tread carefully.

To get a better idea of where the Magic stand at the trade deadline I spoke with Keith Smith of Yahoo! Sports to try and suss out what the Magic’s trade deadline strategy might be. It is a conversation that brings in a lot of issues beyond making the Playoffs this year, recouping on assets that might leave in the summer and the immediate future of the Orlando Magic.

On This Episode:

The weird spot the Orlando Magic are in with the Playoffs still within reach

D.J. Augustin‘s surprising contributions to the Orlando Magic… and the continuing need for a point guard

The importance of Playoff experience in a team’s development and growth

Keeping fans engaged and how that is important for the organization

Nikola Vucevic’s value and why trading him would be tougher if he makes the All-Star team

Regaining financial flexibility and legitimacy with the Orlando Magic

What kind of players would it take to spring Nikola Vucevic free

Why Terrence Ross might be the most tradeable player on the roster

What the Orlando Magic are looking for in a trade — whether they are buying or selling

Why the Trade Machine is deceptive

Thanks to Keith for joining the show once again to break down the trade deadline and give us tidbits to look for as the rumor mill starts to turn a little faster. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithSmithNBA and be sure to check out his work at Yahoo! Sports.

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