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Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Small Forwards

By Philip Rossman-Reich

May 3, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the first quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the first quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies
Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies

Jeff Green is the kind of versatile player the Orlando Magic seem to love. He is capable of playing both forward positions. He has made his time in the NBA on the defensive end. He can provide offense when needed.

Green would have at one time been labeled the ultimate tweener. He really was similar to Aaron Gordon when he entered the league (maybe a little more developed and defined), and it took him a while to find himself in the league.

Last season for Memphis, he really found a role that suits him. He averaged 13.1 points per game in 45 games for the Grizzlies, but in his time with the Celtics early in the season, he showed he can step up and score too.

His 3-point shooting still needs some improvement — 33.2 percent last year — so he would not be a true stretch-4. You sign a guy like Green for his defensive capabilities. That fits the Magic’s roster construction at the moment.

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    • Maybe that is not the direction the Magic should go. Green is typically the kind of player you bring in to supplement an already complete roster. That is what the Grizzlies did, and it worked out extremely well.

    Green has a player option for next season and is owed about $9.5 million. He should be looking and hoping to get about that much or maybe a bit more if he hits the market.

    Ultimately, he is one of those good, but not great players. Green would be solid to have as a glue guy defensively. He is not going to be a primary offensive option on a contending team. That might be what the Magic want from him should they sign a guy like him. That will not work long term.

    Green is a good glue guy. The Magic might be a few years away from trying to sign a player like Green to complete their roster. And, anyways, Aaron Gordon could probably accomplish much of the same is he develops.

    Next: Corey Brewer, Houston Rockets