2016 Outlook
O’Quinn started the season out looking at taking a huge chunk of the mid-level exception. Who couldn’t use a young power forward/center type off the bench who can play defense, block shots and do the dirty work.
He was likely staring down a three-year, $15-18 million deal. That is $5-6 million per year. And that was probably before the news the cap was going to jump up as much as it was going to jump.
All this for a second round pick more known for his energy and hustle than any defined, specific skill.
The season did not take the turn he had hoped for, to say the least. His minutes became inconsistent and his production never took a jump up.
In all likelihood, O’Quinn has earned a contract somewhere. He will be a restricted free agent and so the Magic will have the right to match. But with Dewayne Dedmon already in place and the team (relatively) stuck with Andrew Nicholson, it is hard to say whether O’Quinn even has a place on this team anymore.
Certainly not at the amount he was projected to get at the beginning of the season.
He is in line to get much less as the summer comes up. The Magic will have the chance to review the offer and match. It seems more likely at this point that both he and the Magic will want to part ways and move on.
O’Quinn has done enough in the last three years to have a career in the NBA beyond his rookie contract. What and where that will be is probably more of a mystery because of his 2015 season.
Next: Final Grade