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Orlando Magic Free Agency Rumors: Orlando Magic part of Joe Ingles’ growing market

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz passes the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz passes the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are not expected to be active in free agency this year. But they do have a few targets in mind. Perhaps even Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles.

Free agency is set to kick off Saturday, July 1, at midnight. The Orlando Magic are expected to be fairly quiet with roughly $10 million (maybe a little bit more) in cap room but a roster full of young players who seemingly need playing time — or to get moved.

After last season saw a flurry of free agency activity and spending end with a 29-win season, the Magic are expected to be a bit more opportunistic and passive this year. They do not have a lot of money to spend and are likely taking some time to evaluate their current roster or search for ways to improve through the trade market.

Despite all this, the Magic are not going to sit on their hands completely. Like on Draft night, they have targets in mind and will go after them.

One of those targets has reportedly emerged.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports the Magic are among the teams who will pursue Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles once free agency opens.

And Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post reports the Magic may come in strong with a four-year, $60-million offer.

The Jazz are in a bit of flux these days. They are still waiting to hear what will happen with All-Star forward Gordon Hayward before deciding whether to push in more or reset themselves a bit. That could leave their free agents at risk.

Utah was already active Friday, trading a 2018 first round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ricky Rubio. That likely means incumbent point guard George Hill is on his way out.

Ingles had a breakout season last year, averaging 7.1 points per game and making 44.1 percent from beyond the arc. He made his mark more on the defensive end where he was able to defend both guard positions. With Rudy Gobert and one of the league’s top defense behind him in Utah, he posted a 1.8 defensive box plus-minus and 3.0 defensive win shares, according to Basketball-Reference.

All that certainly would fit the kind of ethos the Magic are looking for. The 6-foot-8, 29-year-old wing player built himself up with defense and can happen to make open 3-pointers.

That is certainly right in the wheelhouse for players the Magic want to pursue.

Ingles made $2.2 million last season and is a restricted free agent this offseason. The Jazz will have the right to match any offer on him. That means a team hoping to steal him away will have to put in a big offer to make the Jazz pause. Then again, Utah may price themselves out with their other free agency activity.

And Ingles’ congested market could quickly balloon out of the Magic’s price range. They can get somewhere near $15 million in money to spend, but not to spend on one player. Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post reports Ingles’ price tag may venture close to $15 million.

That would require the Magic to do some work first to get to $15 million in cap space to spend.

Orlando currently has $77.9 million in guaranteed salary with a $4.2 million cap hold for Jonathan Isaac‘s salary. It seems likely the Magic have reached an agreement with Fran Vazquez that he will not come to the NBA (also, duh) to clear his $3.1 million cap hold off their books. That would give them approximately $16.8 million in cap room.

But to get that room, the Magic would have to cut C.J. Watson along with non-guaranteed deals in Stephen Zimmerman, Marcus Georges-Hunt and Patricio Garino. Adding that trio into the mix, the Magic are down to roughly $13 million in cap room.

This is also assuming the offer is a flat $15 million per year contract. It might have to be to prevent the Jazz from matching the offer.

The base salary and the years are certainly a lot for a role player, albeit a key one on a good Jazz team last year. But Ingles also seems like a good fit for the Magic and the way they want to build.

There may not be time to get excited too quickly. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports the Magic have no meetings planned for 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday night/Saturday morning.

The Magic will almost certainly add a player or two in free agency this offseason. Everyone recognizes the Magic cannot sit tight with the same roster and expect drastically different results. Coaching and player continuity can only net so many wins. And the 29-win season was a complete disaster.

But a small, shrewd move is likely the direction the Magic will head. Like on Draft night, the Magic are more likely to target specific players they like with their limited space. But they will probably pass on using their space if they do not see any players they feel can help improve the team and grow with the team.

Orlando is taking a long-term view to building back up.

Next: OMD Roundtable: Dealing with the Draftermath

While the Magic will likely sit and wait a bit in the early stages of free agency, they do have a wish list and are going to pursue them as it makes sense.