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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: End of the offseason moves

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 8: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a dunk during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 8: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a dunk during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – JULY 1: Jonathan Isaac #1 and Stephen Zimmerman #33 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the 2017 Orlando Summer League on July 1, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How would you evaluate the Orlando Magic’s offseason moves — Jonathan Isaac, Shelvin Mack and Jonathon Simmons?

Scricca: This was as good of an offseason as I could have realistically expected. This was not the time to make a big or splashy move. I had Mack and Simmons pegged as good targets for the Magic early on, but I thought Simmons’ restricted free agent status and Arenas limitations would force a team to overpay for him. It turns out the Spurs did not want to retain his rights, so the Magic got him on a great deal. Mack’s partial guarantee in the second year of his contract will also help them maintain flexibility. These signings help the team in important, tangible ways without hamstringing the team’s cap room. The team now has a chance to get better and be fun to watch in 2018 while still keeping its eyes on 2020.

Rossman-Reich: Considering the Magic’s lack of financial flexibility, you cannot be too upset with what the Magic did. From a macro-perspective, it is clear the Magic are developing a type and the etchings of an identity. They want players who are dogged defenders and who can defend multiple positions. Frank Vogel’s switching schemes could be in full effect with players like Jonathan Isaac, Jonathon Simmons and Aaron Gordon hounding players on the perimeter. All three could switch to just about any position defensively. That may be the clue to stopping teams in this crazed offensive era. All things considered, the Magic did better than expected with this free agency period.

Doyle: The team did a great job this offseason with their free agent acquisitions. Orlando had limited cap space and added two players who should help create an identity. Both players can play defense and are comfortable in playing a specific role. Plus, the contracts these two players signed are extremely team friendly. Hopefully, in a few years, this will be looked back upon as a strong offseason that helped Orlando gain the flexibility to add some top-tier talent down the road.

Treadway: As a Magic fan who has had to scratch their head the last five years, especially last year wondering what the front office was thinking in the offseason, it is hard not to grade this offseason as a straight up A+ for the Magic with all they did. So in not overreacting to this, I still say the new front office gets an A- grade for the offseason. Jeff Weltman played the offseason wisely and strategically not rushing to make moves because of the pressure from fans, or anything else. After watching Isaac in Summer League, he has shown promise to be a big addition to the team. And with little cap room to work with, the Magic struck at the right time picking up two players who were signed to very reasonable deals which allowed the Magic to add depth without hurting their small cap flexibility any worse than it already was. These two additions also are fantastic because they come in with not very high expectations, lots of hunger, and a veteran presence needed for this young team.