Free Agency: 5 Bargain Power Forwards for Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic fans are well versed in what Brandon Bass brings to the table. And if he decided Boston was not the place for him this offseason, there is an outside chance the former LSU Tiger could return to The City Beautiful.
Bass is now 30 years old and will begin to decline most likely, but he should have two or three more very productive years left — if not far more given his commitment to conditioning.
He has never been a guy to put up monstrous numbers. In 23 minutes a night last year, he averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. But his energy is always very good. And he is a good mid-range shooter, hitting 45.7 percent from 16 to 22 feet.
Much in the same way Horace Grant was able to camp out at the free throw line extended area, Bass is able to get quality looks on a consistent basis because teams respect his ability to shoot or make a power move to the basket.
Bass has shot 49.3 percent from the floor during his 10-year NBA career, and he is already familiar with Orlando. He came to the Magic on a mid-level exception contract, and it seems he is still worth just about that ($4.5 million).
He may not be “the power forward of the future,” but right now it has to be about fielding a competitive team, and Bass is as hard working as any guy in the league. That attitude could pay dividends in getting his teammates to commit to strong 48-minute wars.
Next: Not full of youth, but ever-so-young