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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 13: No such thing as a free agent

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 21, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles huddles up with center Nikola Vucevic (9) and teammates against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles huddles up with center Nikola Vucevic (9) and teammates against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Luol Deng, Miami Heat
Feb 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 93-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

This has probably been covered in various forms throughout the mailbag so far, but I will answer it more directly:

I think the first step this summer is to explore and possibly make a deal at the Draft involving the Draft pick and probably Nikola Vucevic (probably adding Ersan Ilyasova). Remember Ilyasova is not technically a free agent. His $8.4 million salary in 2017 becomes guaranteed on July 1, 2016. Until then, he can be traded like any other player.

Pairing Vucevic and Ilyasova would enable the Magic to take on $20 million in a trade (remember, Orlando is bumping up against the salary cap, so they have to match salaries unless they take back less money). This would be the best way to get a star or quasi-star on the roster before free agency.

I think that is critical if the Magic want to be significant players. The roster as currently constructed is probably not enough to attract a marquee free agent.

Without that trade, I think the Magic will have to take a risk on a guy who may not quite be a max player but could get there — like a Chandler Parsons or Harrison Barnes — or go after a player who used to be a max-level guy — like Dwight Howard or to some extent Al Horford.

The Magic are probably going to prioritize Horford as their free agent target. After him, they probably move to Parsons or Barnes or even Nicolas Batum. It is too early to tell exactly what they will look for.

Their next priority will be dealing with Evan Fournier’s free agency — I think it is likely they keep him unless they sign a small forward in free agency — and then they will look to fill out the roster. Joakim Noah could be an option if he wants to be a backup center and can be had at a decent price.

There are options. I think the Magic created a lot of flexibility.

It is important to remember too that the Magic can also take on more salary than they send out in a trade using the cap room they have created. So their big acquisition does not necessarily have to be in free agency.

They are going to have contingencies over contingencies. What the team has to guard somewhat against is spending money on the wrong guys just to spend the money. The wrong decisions here could be worse than no decision.

Next: So who do the Magic sign?