Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2016
Category III — Hmm… I am listening
10. Andrew Nicholson, $5.8 million/2 years, RFA in 2017
Andrew Nicholson is really an interesting case of a player. Really he could go in the previous category or in this category. As an expiring contract, he has some value, particularly for his restricted free agent rights. At the same time, has he done enough to stay in the league?
Some team is going to feel like Nicholson has a place in the league, even if it is at the end of the bench. He still has some value in this league. There are few players that have the post moves Nicholson has and his 3-point shot has improved. It just does not seem enough.
At this point, it is unclear exactly how the Magic value him. Or how anyone values him. He has a future somewhere in the league for at least the short term, but with whom and in what role is still a complete mystery.
The Magic do not even know how to use Nicholson and so you just have to scratch your head.
9. Jason Smith, $4.3 million/1 years
Jason Smith has been one of the nicest surprises for the Orlando Magic this year. He has established himself as one of the best mid-range shooters in the league (whether that is a desirable skill is another debate) and just fits in. Teams leave him open and he makes shots. That is a good skill to have.
He also has been a better than expected defensive player and a decent rim protector. The Magic really should not be upset at all with their decision to let Kyle O’Quinn walk and go with the cheaper option in Jason Smith.
Smith has returned that value in his one year contract and has stated he would like to stay in Orlando. He should have some type of market this offseason. The Magic have to look into what his value is. But at the same time, Smith is always going to be a bench player.
He is far more valuable to them coming off the bench even if the Magic miss the playoffs. His small salary makes him difficult to move anyway.
8. Channing Frye, $23.4 million/3 years
The most controversial and talked about player on the Magic who probably does not even play very much — Frye has averaged 12.4 minutes per game in eight appearances since leaving the starting lineup.
Frye does a lot of things well and helps the team spread the floor. He is shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc last year, even better than last year’s strong shooting year. But even then it feels like he is a disappointment.
Frye has become the team’s scapegoat. The easy guy to blame for all the team’s defensive shortcomings. It is easy to look at his individual stat line and say that he is not producing anything. Especially when you consider he is the Magic’s first big free agent acquisition of the Rob Hennigan era (at least the first big contract offered).
But the numbers also show the Magic largely play better with Frye on the floor, especially offensively. He does help the team.
And teams around the league know this. Which is why he should be ranked highly in this setting. Teams value that they know what they will get from him night to night and value his shooting. Add in his contract is front loaded and Frye still has interest and value around the league.
To make salaries match for one of the Magic players on their rookie contract, Frye is almost giving up too much unless the return is really good.
Of course, the Magic also have reportedly agreed to a deal to send Channing Frye to the Los Angeles Clippers for Lance Stephenson and C.J. Wilcox in another move to clear salary.
Next: Category IV -- If we have to