The Orlando Magic are not in the market for much in the backcourt. But they could always use more versatility with their backcourt to add depth.
If there is one position the Orlando Magic feel pretty set at it is shooting guard.
Victor Oladipo is locked in as the starting shooting guard. He took a step forward his sophomore year and became a more consistent scorer and looks ready to break out as a star player for this team. Behind him on the depth chart is Evan Fournier, a solid shooter and creator off the pick and roll. The two are solid on defense too.
It feels like the Magic are not going to have to worry about shooting guard for too long.
The Magic though are not in a position to be too picky. They need to build depth wherever they can and bring in more talent.
Orlando is not afraid to say it is positionless right now. Victor Oladipo, after all, is just a “guard.” Fournier can moonlight some at small forward. And the Magic are as likely as not to draft Justise Winslow, who probably fits better at shooting guard than small forward.
Yes, the Magic are not afraid to look at wings right now, even if they might duplicate Oladipo or Fournier or whoever.
Versatility has always been key for the Magic and they are not going to shy away from that as they prepare for free agency.
Certainly two things will factor in that we did not factor into our review of the point guard free agent class: First, Scott Skiles‘ hiring allows us to focus more on players that fit his style and what he wants to do. Second, the draft and who the Magic pick will help them determine who they go after. Draft Justise Winslow, and the team’s needs in the backcourt suddenly dry up.
The key when looking at this crop of players is versatility.
Just like for the point guards, we turned to Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders as he looked at the shooting guards of this free agent class and focused on targets the Magic might look at.
Next: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
This is the pipe dream.
Jimmy Butler is going to get a max contract this summer, and he will deserve it after averaging 20.0 points per game and shooting 46.2 percent from the floor on his way to his first All-Star appearance.
Even with everything that happened with the Bulls this season with their front office and coaching staff, Butler just did his work and played hard. That is who Butler is and it will not change as he gets paid.
Space City Scoop
In all likelihood, the Bulls are going to match whatever offer sheet he gets. They might as well start negotiating the max offer sheet now to avoid having to pay some ridiculously backloaded contract. He is a fantastic defender and a great scorer to pair with Derrick Rose in the backcourt. Particularly with Rose sometimes in and out of the lineup.
The reason Butler remains a slim possibility for the Magic is because he has that versatility to play small forward. That is even with Butler not quite having small forward size. He is just a strong dude who knows how to play defense and make life hard even for a guy like LeBron James.
That kind of two-way play is so valuable in the league. And it is why Butler is a true max player. He might be the best wing player available on the market this summer.
Butler clearly made the right call turning down a four-year, $44 million extension last summer. His investment in himself was well worth it.
Next: Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs
Danny Green is something of a role player-plus. His skills fit perfectly into the Spurs system. He plays strong defense and has a good understanding of team defense and can hit 3-pointers at a pretty solid clip. Last season, Green shot 41.8 percent from beyond the arc for his fourth straight 40-plus percent season on 3-pointers.
And, of course, we all remember the big Finals he had in 2013.
Green’s success is a product of being in the right role. He is perfect as a fifth man taking advantage of the space the Spurs’ offense creates for a player like him.
Beale Street Bears
That, frankly, might be underselling how good Green really was for the Spurs as that piece.
It is kind of hard to get a sense of how much Spurs free agents will go for. A lot of them are so bought in, they will almost certainly take less to stay within the Spurs system. He is coming off a three-year, $11 million deal. He got a little more than $4 million last season. He is probably due for a pay raise.
Just how much?
Green will get a pay increase from the Spurs. Other teams will come calling. Some might even offer him something ridiculous. But it is hard to imagine him going anywhere.
Still, the Magic might consider offering him something in the neighborhood that Channing Frye got and hope he fills in as a small forward defensively. The Magic would love the ability to spread the floor.
Next: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middleton did a good job making the most of his contract year. His 13.4 points per game this year were big for the Bucks, particularly after Jabari Parker went down with a torn ACL.
He became known as “Money,” with the appropriate sound effects, for his penchant for making big shots. The Magic know that pretty well too.
Middleton also played big in Milwaukee’s Playoff series, putting him squarely in that tier right below the max guys it would seem. Some believe Middleton might make the market max in restricted free agency, forcing the Bucks into a difficult decision.
Money aside for the moment, Middleton is a solid shooter — 40.7 percent shooting last year and 40.3 percent for his career — and can attack off the dribble some when defenses get out to him and chase him off the 3-point line. He really has grown as a player, taking advantage of his contract year.
At 6-foot-7, Middleton could be a serviceable starting shooting guard. With Parker returning, Middleton is between the two wing position for Milwaukee. Michael Carter-Williams is clearly the point guard and Parker is clearly the small forward. Middleton still fits this team and there seems little reason for the Bucks not to match.
It is just about how much money Middleton can get in the market.
Likely, Middleton is going to get priced out of the Magic’s spending range this summer. Orlando is going to want to get multiple players this summer and not use its entire cap on one guy. For the Magic to sign a guy like Middleton, they likely would have to let Tobias Harris walk to fit him in.
Next: Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers
Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers
Wesley Matthews presents a very interesting decision for any team right now.
Undoubtedly, Matthews can produce. He is a solid defender and a good shooter who can create for himself some. He fit in perfectly with the Blazers — a ragtag group of great individuals who may not be superstars on their own but fit well together for the better on offense.
At some point, Portland is going to have to pay Damian Lillard. They will have to pay LaMarcus Aldridge this summer. And someone is going to get squeezed out.
Matthews has one more thing that will work against him or lower his value. He tore his Achilles late in the season. That may be enough to have some teams go hands off — Grant Hill anyone?
Rip City Project
Still, it is hard to ignore all Matthews can do when he is healthy. He is a great scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game and posting a 56.3 percent effective field goal percentage. He is someone who is not “just a shooter” or “just a defender.” He has plenty of guard skills in him and plenty of arrows in his quiver (my favorite 3-point celebration in the NBA right now, by the way).
Matthews is a bit undersized to play small forward at 6-foot-5 (if that). But he has platooned there before too.
He has had one big payday already. Matthews could have been a market max type of guy if he had stayed healthy. The injury makes his future incredibly murky.
Will he fetch an $8 million per year contract this time around? When healthy he is certainly worth more and a small bump up in pay would be in order even with the injury.
Next: Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors
Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors
Unlike just about everyone else on this list who can play both shooting guard and small forward, Lou Williams is someone who can scale down and be a decent backup point guard option. With Evan Fournier already entrenched in the second unit as a potential secondary ballhandler, Williams might make a little bit more sense.
The Magic desperately need instant offense off the bench. Tobias Harris has tended to bristle at that role. It takes a certain kind of player to perform that role. To get a really good one, it also costs a fair amount.
Williams has had a strange career bouncing around Philadelphia, Atlanta and now Toronto. Last year, he seemed to find his spot as he won the 2015 Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Williams is a creator with some point guard skill. He could easily play backup point guard and provide that scoring punch. That is what he did for the Raptors last year in winning Sixth Man of the Year.
Williams made $5.45 million last season in the final year of his contract with the Raptors. He could certainly claim a big chunk of any team’s mid-level exception this offseason. Of course, the bigger issue might be whether Williams can accept a sixth man role long term or whether he will pursue a starting job moving forward.
These are big questions for Williams and for his career. Security would probably be a premium after Williams missed most of the 2013 season with a torn ACL.
Williams would undoubtedly fit with the Magic’s needs. They need a guy who can score and create off the bench for himself. If Tobias Harris will not do it, Williams would be a viable option. He could also fill in as a backup point guard.
If there were a dream signing for the Magic this summer, Williams might be that guy.
Next: Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers
Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers
Iman Shumpert has run the gamut already in his short career.
He was the hyper athletic player who could make a difference for a Knicks team ready to content. He was the underachieving player with only those hustle skills but nothing very much more. He was the young guy looking for a second chance and making the most of it.
Right now, he is a key piece for the Cavaliers in their bid to win the NBA Finals. He obviously took the potential game-winning shot in Game One. There is a lot of trust in Shumpert there too as he has spent a significant time guarding Stephen Curry.
Daily Knicks
Shumpert still plays at an incredibly high level. He is a good defender and an improving shooter — 34.2 percent from beyond the arc this season. His youth remains an asset for him despite some knee issues in the past.
For whatever reason, Shumpert’s potential has always seemed to outstrip his reality. He is a hard player to let go because of what he can become. What he is though is probably nothing more than a solid role player. He is something like an early Trevor Ariza, minus the size.
Shumpert has versatility and can probably spend time on just about any wing player. That is why he continues to have value. But a lot of it seems to be more the hope of what he will become rather than what he actually is.
Unless someone really believes in Shumpert, there is no reason for Cleveland not to match.
Next: Gerald Henderson, Charlotte Hornets
Gerald Henderson, Charlotte Hornets
Gerald Henderson has been a thorn in the Magic’s side for a few years now. He has placed his name among the many guys who just seem to perform well against the Magic.
Henderson is simply a defender. That is what he does best. His offense does not extend beyond the 3-point line — 33.1 percent last year and just two seasons shooting better than 45 percent in his career. That would not be a reason to sign him.
Henderson has been considered more of a defensive player and slasher throughout his career. He seems to find his points cutting through the lane or getting out in transition. What he has made a long career out of though is his defense. It has earned him starter’s minutes in Charlotte for much of his six-year career.
Henderson very much would fit the ethos the Magic appear they are trying to build. However, he does not resolve the Magic’s shooting problems.
At this point, Orlando needs shooters desperately. Henderson is decidedly not that. So many years into his career it seems unlikely he will develop it at this point.
But Henderson remains a viable role player as long as the role is pretty well defined.
Next: Jared Dudley, Milwaukee Bucks
Jared Dudley, Milwaukee Bucks
Jared Dudley is one of the best professionals in the league. Everywhere he has gone, teams and players have talked about the way he works hard and does his work. Teammates loved him in Phoenix and Los Angeles (Clippers). In Milwaukee, he provided some key veteran minutes.
This would be a big part of the reason to sign him. Dudley is a great player to have around in the locker room, but he also one who can produce and commit to a growing team. He certainly helped contribute to the Bucks’ major turnaround last season.
Dudley was a spot starter last year averaging 7.2 points per game and shooting 46.8 percent and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
He is a bit undersized to play small forward and he likely is past the time he would be a full-time starter. Dudley though would provide some veteran poise to a team hoping to start winning games.
The Smoking Cuban
He has a player option for next year for about $4 million. It would probably cost a little bit more to grab him. And Dudley’s time is ticking for his career. So he is a short-term solution. And likely someone who should be coming off the bench if the team is hoping to compete long term.
Still, Dudley is the kind of player you want in the locker room with a group of young players. He is also a solid contributor for any second unit who can fill in until whoever the Magic draft is ready or to slide Tobias Harris to power forward on occasion.
It is not a long shot, but the Magic would be pinning a lot of hope on a player getting ready to turn 30.