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Orlando Magic Player Evaluation: Willie Green

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) blocks the shot of Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) blocks the shot of Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic, Willie Green
Feb 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and guard Willie Green (34) celebrate against the Miami Heat during the second half at Amway Center. Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 93-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 Outlook

It is still uncertain whether Willie Green will even play next season. Green has said he hopes to play a few more years. But a team needs to want him.

Green is a free agent this summer. The Magic are not likely going to be in a rush to sign him. He is probably looking at taking a minimum contract no matter where he goes. Green is not the kind of player to wrangle a two-year, $9 million contract or something to that effect.

Green played well this season and teams know exactly what he provides. That is what happens when you have played in the league for 12 years. Whether that is still useful even at the end of a bench is somewhat debatable.

Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) lays it in before New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani (77) can get to the block during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) lays it in before New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani (77) can get to the block during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

It is not that Green did not play well in his only season in Orlando. He largely did for the player he is. It is that Green has been hanging on by a thread in the league for quite some time anyway. Veteran leadership can only get you so far when you are looking for a new contract.

The Magic could very well re-sign Green. It would not be the worst decision they could make. So long as Green is in a “veteran leadership” role again and, unlike this season, not relied upon for many meaningful minutes.

As a minimum player, Green is the kind of player who is likely not going to see a contract offer of any kind come his way until August, maybe even late August.

All he needs is to be wanted, and he will have a place in the NBA. But he is roster filler so his future is out of his hands.

Next: Final Grade