How the Orlando Magic should handle their free agents

Damjan Rudez

To Re-Sign

With so much depth at power forward, Damjan Rudez played limited minutes this season.

A positive in Rudez’s favor is his relationship with coach Frank Vogel. Rudez had a previous stint playing under Vogel with the Indiana Pacers, so he is familiar with Vogel’s system.

Rudez has the ability to spread the floor with his shooting from deep as a stretch-4 and is not shy about pulling the trigger. With the NBA moving more toward small ball, at 6-foot-10, Rudez would be great as a small-ball center to stretch the floor.

Not to Re-sign

The one thing Rudez was brought in to do this year was to make shots from deep. The opportunities were limited. But when they did present themselves, Rudez did not take advantage.

This could be blamed on not finding a rhythm with lineups being tweaked sporadically throughout the season. Either way, he did not do his job well.

From the outset, Rudez was only going to play spot minutes if someone were to get injured, so not bringing him back will not be a difficult decision.

Verdict

While Rudez was buried on the bench behind better power forwards, I think the Magic know enough about his game. At best, he can give a breath in some garbage time minutes or if there is an injury.

He was not seen as a critical piece to the Magic’s success or future plans. The decision is easy with this one, Rudez most likely will be re-signed.