Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Assessing value on the Orlando Magic roster: The newcomers

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives to the basket as Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) defends the play during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives to the basket as Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) defends the play during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Jason Smith, New York Knicks, Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn Nets
Feb 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Jason Smith (14) drives past Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett (2) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Smith

Jason Smith feels like roster filler. The Magic needed a veteran to back up Nikola Vucevic and Dewayne Dedmon who could help spread the floor in case Channing Frye did not work out. A lot of what the Magic will want him to do is probably not going to show up on a stat sheet.

What his role will be is to make jumpers when he is open, be at least neutral on defense and help maintain professionalism in the locker room. For veterans, that is something a team will sometimes overpay for.

Smith signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal — essentially the same deal the Magic signed Ben Gordon to. Unlike Gordon though, Smith should at least contribute a little. As he did last year, at the very least.

Ordered by Salary

Player Salary PER $/PER
Mike Scott 3,333,333 15.1 220,750.53
Tyler Hansbrough 3,326,235 13.3 250,092.86
Nerlens Noel 3,315,120 15.0 221,008.00
Jason Smith 3,278,000 12.0 273,166.67
Carlos Boozer 3,250,000 16.4 198,170.73
Enes Kanter (UTA) 3,726,144.72 17.5 212,922.56
Joel Freeland 3,013,512 12.2 247,009.18

Ordered by PER

Player Salary PER $/PER
Louis Amundson (NYK) 225,566.42 12.5 18,045.31
Joel Freeland 3,013,512 12.2 247,009.18
Clint Capela 1,189,200 12.1 98,280.99
Jason Smith 3,278,000 12.0 273,166.67
Furkan Aldemir 3,000,000 12.0 250,000.00
Drew Gooden 1,448,000 11.9 121,680.67
Jon Leuer 967,500 11.9 81,302.52

Predictably, Smith is producing like an end-of-the-bench guy. The unfortunate thing is that he is being paid like a top-of-the-draft rookie. For rookies that can be a great value because they often over-produce their market-controlled salary. Veterans do not get that luxury.

Smith is clearly the worst value of all the players at his production level and probably one of the worst centers at his salary level.

So, of course, he got a pay increase.

At $4.3 million, his value obviously tanks. Other players at his salary range include Kris Humphries (15.4 PER), Luc Mbah a Moute (10.6 PER) and Cody Zeller (14.1 PER). Those are not world beaters as centers, but they either produce a bit more or are younger and have the potential to produce more.

At this point, Greg Stiemsma if he does indeed join the Magic roster seems like he could provide more value and fill that need for a rim protector. The Magic here seemed to spend money to ensure they got him and have him part of the team.

It seems here the Magic are paying for something other than his production on the court in signing him. Fortunately, it is a one-year deal so the risk is very low.

The Verdict: Low Risk, but Overpaid

Next: Shabazz Napier