The Orlando Magic tried to be active this offseason and added some role players as well as a high-flying Croatian, but how does it all grade out holistically?
When the season sets, and the championship is won, is when the real fun begins. When we least expect it, teams around the league will throw cash into the sky gloriously, gangster rap style.
In free agency, that is when the NBA will, basically, lose its mind and make it rain. And this offseason, it made no effort in hiding its swag from the sun, with teams spending recklessly (although, justifiably, can I get CAP-BOOM “woot-woot?”), and the offseason providing joyous, albeit ridiculous, entertainment for fans.
But, it is in the ridiculousness that our happiness lies.
Maybe that is why the Orlando Magic’s offseason did not feel pumped up and immortal, but rather . . . straightforward and smart.
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The attempt to go after Paul Milsap was fun, but where was the fake trade for hometown sweetheart Chandler Parsons? Or the rumors to go after DeMarcus Cousins? OR… Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith together as a bench unit?
And then, adding Mario Hezonja, not to play basketball, but rather demoralize the opponent into losing. I mean, that would have been amazing drama.
That would have been right up there with emoji wars and snakes. But instead we got a well-thought out, pretty tidy offseason.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, either.
Remember, these offseason grades are not based on what they could have done but, rather what the Magic actually did. I know that seems obvious, but it bears clearing up since we live in the Twitter age, where people confuse themselves for sharks.
Also, if we graded everything under the notion that, “well, we could not pry Lebron from Cleveland,” then this would be a pretty meaningless exercise. But enough said, let’s dig in.
Next: The Coach Hiring