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2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Centers

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeff Withey, Utah Jazz
Oct 22, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Withey, Utah Jazz

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G MP FG% FT% TRB BLK PTS
2016-17 26 UTA 51 8.5 .534 .750 2.4 0.6 2.9
Career 197 10.3 .531 .717 2.6 0.8 3.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/30/2017.

A player like Jeff Withey might be more in the Orlando Magic’s wheelhouse for a center acquisition. He obviously might cost a bit more than taking on a rookie on the minimum to play that center spot — or sticking with Stephen Zimmerman and giving him a chance to develop. But Withey is young and showed signs of production. It is unclear what anyone thinks about him or if he can find a larger role somewhere.

Withey is a big body. He is a decent shot blocker and can score a bit around the basket. He can clearly hold his own on a NBA court. But he is not likely to do much more than to play a backup or end-of-the-bench role. Relying on him too much can be dangerous.

But those are the kinds of players the Magic are looking for. They want youngish players like Withey to fill in that deep bench role and maybe turn into something and force them to clear their center logjam. But which player is going to take that?

There simply is not a lot of opportunity to play for the Magic if you are a center unless you are hanging on in the league. Withey is not that player. Not yet, at least.