Up-and-Coming Free Agents for the Orlando Magic
By Bill Johnson
As NBA Draft preparation is completed, the Orlando Magic need to have an eye on potential free agents and players who have had to battle long odds and just need a chance.
There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. The same is true of helping a NBA player reach his potential. There are factors outside of the player that determine their NBA fate.
An organization plays a big part in whether or not a player reaches their perceived potential by putting them in positions to succeed and giving them time to grow. The team’s playing style needs to be catered to players strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. It is possible the Orlando Magic could find valuable contributors for the current rebuild off of another team’s bench.
It may seem unlikely, but no one thought Isaiah Thomas would become a star with the Boston Celtics. But he is not the only one. The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies each gave up one of this offseason’s most sought-after free agents, Kyle Lowry before Lowry found his right fit with the Toronto Raptors.
But the Magic do not necessarily need a player to come in and dominate on the court in free agency. They simply do not have the money for it, to some extent.
They need players who have experienced the tough side of the business. And just need a chance. Adversity builds character. That hard work can infect the rest of the roster.
The Magic do not currently have that type of character on their roster. The roster is filled with lottery picks. They have not had to deal with any adversity or pressure to win. And that potentially hurts them on the court, especially in high-pressure situations.
With that in mind here are some players with talent who will not cost a lot of money in free agency. They will help establish an identity and culture for the team.