OVERALL GRADE: B+
Had the Magic signed Paul Millsap this would have been an A+. But, the Magic still managed to have a pretty good offseason. They keep their cap space open for any potential opportunities, signed an above average backup PG, and drafted two potential long-term pieces.
As of now the depth chart looks like this:
PG-Payton, Watson, Harvey, Appling
SG-Oladipo, Hezonja, Fournier, Harvey
SF- Harris/ Gordon, Fournier, Hezonja
PF- Gordon/Harris, Frye, Nicholson
C- Vucevic, Dedmon, Smith, Frye/ Gordon
The Magic will be playing plenty of small lineups next year, due to the bevy of long and athletic players, as Skiles should urge his defense to switch on assignments and play position less basketball.
There is a lineup I think is really interesting for the Magic to trot out: Oladipo, Harris, Frye and Gordon, and all they do is shoot three-pointers from the Oladipo/Gordon pick and roll and defend all positions equally while hiding Frye on the offense’s weakest link. That would be really fun to watch.
The Magic are banking on themselves improving from within. It is a reasonable bet, one that only seems more realistic with Scott Skiles as head coach.
It has been a while since this team has been competitive, and the team obviously thinks that time is next year. Fans are ready to sniff the postseason, ever-so-ready.