Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic 2017 Season Review: What Went Right — Lessons Learned For The Future

By Ryan Doyle

Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings center Georgios Papagiannis (13) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Spend wisely

The Magic were not the only team to spend big in free agency. Throw in the Ibaka trade, the Magic made a few free agent splashes.

Orlando had a ton of cap room. The entire NBA knew the Magic were going to try to sign some big name free agents.

For the most part, the Magic struck out. The team settled for career backups who have proved that they belong in that same role.

After a breakout playoff performance with the Toronto Raptors, Bismack Biyombo appeared ready to see an increased role with another team. The Magic were a team that made sense. With Vucevic’s defensive deficiencies, Biyombo would be a good contrast when Vucevic was on the bench.

Sadly, Biyombo has not proved he is worth that massive four-year, $72-million deal he signed this summer.

He is still a solid option. But it is clear the Magic overspent because they struck out on so many other players. The roster’s poor construction seemed to emphasize Biyombo’s weaknesses most.

The other big signing was veteran point guard D.J. Augustin. Throughout his career, D.J. Augustin bounced around different teams as a solid backup point guard. Orlando felt he could find a home in Central Florida filling that role.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

For years, the Magic have been searching for a backup point guard. They have yet to find success. Augustin’s first season in Orlando was not the one the team had planned. With him still under contract for three more years, the Magic are in a pickle and likely have to wait him out.

Last season, Augustin’s true shooting percentage (52.4 percent), offensive win shares (a career-worst 0.7) and offensive box plus-minus (a career-worst -0.9) were all much worse with the Magic than last year.

Orlando took a chance on two players, neither of them worked out in the first year of their new deals.

It looks like the Magic are going to have money to play with this upcoming offseason, they need to be smart with their money. They cannot settle like they did last season.