Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 NBA Offseason: Free Agents Orlando Magic should target

By Muhammed Jumani

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 and Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz calls for a foul during a 99-91 LA Clippers win in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 and Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz calls for a foul during a 99-91 LA Clippers win in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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George Hill, Utah Jazz
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: George Hill #3 and Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz calls for a foul during a 99-91 LA Clippers win in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic have new leadership in place for this year’s free agency, as they are optimistic to turn things around. They will try to reverse five years of frustration.

The NBA offseason always creates hope and optimism for all 30 teams around the league because a couple of big signings can turn the shape and culture of a franchise. It can turn a losing lottery-bound team to a championship-worthy team.

The Orlando Magic are not the most appealing team to free agents by any means necessary. That is no secret. That often leaves the Magic overpaying free agents in order to pry them off their previous team. That is the reality of being a 29-win team.

The Magic have around $13 million in cap space. And they will certainly need to trade players if they want to get to the max player territory. That is not likely.

Orlando has contracts that are a good bargain, such as Nikola Vucevic. And then bad contracts, such as Bismack Biyombo. And then there are contracts that are “okay but not great”, such as D.J. Augustin‘s contract.

But the Magic need to be very careful and controlled. They must not dig themselves a financial hole for the next few seasons like they did when they signed Biyombo last offseason.

With the new leadership in president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond, how the team handles this summer will be a true test of whether they can turn things around for the better in Orlando.

Expect them to sign, defensive-minded, lengthy players as part of their core. Their approach was seen when they drafted the 6-foot-10 Jonathan Isaac with the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Orlando does not have many resources to use. But if the Magic want to improve their team, they have to be looking for bargains and looking for players who can make their team better immediately.

With free agency officially opening Saturday morning, here are some players the Magic should have on their wish list.