The Orlando Magic spent money this offseason adding depth to their bench with a player who probably will not help the team win many more games than last year.
The Orlando Magic knew they needed a lot of work following a 29-win season that fell woefully short of internal expectations. The result had caused their roster to become bloated with large salaries and no fit for how all the pieces fit together.
It was not clear exactly how the Magic could expect to compete without some major changes.
With four draft picks and good, but not great, players, there was some belief the Magic could make a splashy move. They could get involved in a big trade as a conduit and clear some cap space or take on a struggling player needing a chance on a short contract. They could use their draft picks to do . . . something splashy.
Instead, Orlando stayed very quiet. Their big move instead of a splashy one was somewhat questionable and quite. It is hard to say the Magic made that huge improvement in the offseason. Their free agency decision will come into question.
The organization signed former Utah Jazz point guard Shelvin Mack to a two-year, $12-million contract as its big offseason addition. Focusing the summer on signing a backup point guard for $6 million seems to be a bit of a stretch considering the Magic are attempting to improve their overall roster. Not to mention Orlando already had $7.5 million for the next three years invested in D.J. Augustin.
The Magic had been pretty quiet this offseason until this move — as if the organization was not attempting to improve on a 29-win season. After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Magic acquired a player who really will not move the needle much in the upcoming season.
Shelvin Mack is a good guy but he is not the type of player who is considered a difference maker. He is not going to make the Magic better on his own, even as he adds some depth.
In fairness to Orlando, there were not any difference makers available. Even if one was available, the Magic did not have the funds to negotiate a deal. Besides, that difference maker most likely would not want to play for a struggling franchise.
The fact Mack signed with Orlando speaks to the type of player he has become. He did not go to a team that will be in contention for a title anytime soon. And, quite frankly, the Magic will not be in contention for a playoff spot even in the new watered down Eastern Conference this year either. Mack too took a two-year deal with virtually no guarantee for the second year.
Both Mack and the Magic needed to take a risk. But after last summer, the Magic certainly could use something a bit more sure and less of a risk.
This move cannot begin to compare to the moves the team made last summer.
And although the Magic failed miserably last year, at least there was a buzz about the Magic. Fans had some hope to begin the season with. Even if the buzz was positive or negative, there was unquestionably a buzz about the team’s defensive potential after the moves nevertheless. There was a reason to talk about and notice the Magic, even if in derision.
Obviously, those moves did not profit any wins. The Magic did not have any money to spend this summer as a direct result of those moves. Although Orlando is one of the only teams in the league with little cap space remaining, they still do not have a player on the roster who is considered a difference maker.
But how does signing Mack help the Magic for the upcoming year? How does Mack change the team’s fortunes?
The Magic already have a point guard they believe in with Elfrid Payton. Why is the organization spending $13.5 million for backup point guards?
This is Mack’s sixth team as he enters his seventh year in the league. He is no more than a journeyman in the NBA at this point in his career.
Orlando Magic
Mack was a backup at best during his time in the NBA. When Jazz coach Quin Snyder gave him the opportunity to start in 2016, he registered 12.7 points and 5.3 assists per game.
The Magic can say they have a player with Playoff experience on the roster because he has played in the postseason. He should bring a winning attitude to the team. And Mack seems confident he can add that to the team, even as a reserve.
But the bigger question is how does this move make a team that has missed the Playoffs five straight seasons better? Will he be more productive than the recently waived C.J. Watson? Can he get more minutes and push D.J. Augustin to the bench? And what does that mean for Augustin with three years and $22.5 million left on his deal?
These are legitimate questions the Magic and Mack need to answer.
Mack may end up a better player than Elfrid Payton judging by his 3-point and free throw percentages. But he does not seem like the type of player that can make his teammates better.
Before Mack entered the league, he had the potential to be a big shot maker. He averaged 16 points per game during his final year at Butler. He made a name for himself knocking down some big shots in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
But somehow that potential turned him into a seventh or eighth player off of the bench on a championship level team. He never took a step up throughout his career. He has settled in as a reserve guard for his career.
In other words, the Magic have landed another reserve on a team full of reserves. The team is still in search of a player who can actually turn the franchise’s fortunes.
Next: Eastern Conference is falling, Orlando Magic are waiting
Instead, the Magic seem like they will struggle to make the playoffs during a year when the Eastern Conference is as weak as its ever been.