2017 Outlook
The Magic have a decision to make regarding Ersan Ilyasova and that decision needs to be made quickly.
On July 1, Ilyasova’s $8.4 million contract becomes fully guaranteed. Only $400,000 is guaranteed after that. So if the Magic decide to cut ties with the veteran forward, they will have to do it within the next few months. Cutting him before this date will provide even more room for the Magic to make a big signing in free agency.
With Ilyasova’s future up in the air, one must look at the negatives and positives of his presence on the roster.
He is a veteran who does his job on most nights who is also very familiar with Skiles’ system. He is a solid stretch player which the Magic will lack if he departs. Ilyasova is also solid on the boards and holds his own defensively. As a rotational player Ilyasova is a good piece on any team.
The problem with him is the price tag. The Magic thought they would make the playoffs this season. They looked poised to make a jump. A terrible January halted their season in its tracks and it seems they need another all-star caliber player to make the leap.
Ilyasova is not an all-star. Everyone knows that.
By releasing him, it clears up a good amount of money for the Magic to make a run at a good player. That is what the trend points too.
A lot can happen between now and July, but the Magic need to decide quickly what they want to do.
Next: Final Grade