In the aftermath of an underwhelming NBA Draft Lottery, the Orlando Magic need to make the most out of free agency one step at a time, making low-risk signings.
The Orlando Magic will pick sixth in the NBA Draft next month. That is not a bad place to be. But falling outside of the top five, the organization should not expect a home run.
Orlando also does not have a ton of cap space. They will have a reasonable amount of flexibility, but only Jodie Meeks and Jeff Green are becoming unrestricted free agents. Per Spotrac, the Magic will have around $35 million in space under the league’s luxury tax, and if they renounce the cap holds of Jeff Green, Jodie Meeks, Damjan Rudez, Marcus Georges-Hunt and Patricio Garino (which seems likely), they will have around $15 million in cap max space.
Again, not a ton of space, but reasonable flexibility.
It is enough to warrant approaching this offseason with caution. Chances are, ownership will not want to go too far into the tax unless a major opportunity presents itself. Nor should they.
In the draft and free agency, the Magic need to hit singles and doubles that add up to a winning formula instead of swinging for the fences. Acquire talent, try to build a winning formula, but do not invest too heavily in a roster just yet.
The Magic likely will not enter next season with any big-time names like Chris Paul or Markelle Fultz. The path for them requires patience and prudence — making good deals that will put the franchise in a solid position in the long run.
Depending on who they draft, they will likely need shooting help, a stable point guard option and cutters. An ideal free agency candidate for the Magic should be a player that can defend opposing power forwards while playing the perimeter on offense – complementing Aaron Gordon’s strengths and covering for his weaknesses.
Here are a few realistic names that could fill one or more of these roles.