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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic offered Joffrey Lauvergne in free agency

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 8: Joffrey Lauvergne #77 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on March 8, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 8: Joffrey Lauvergne #77 of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on March 8, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic came home with free agent prizes, but they did not get all of their first options. They reportedly chased Joffrey Lauvergne and missed.

The Orlando Magic were quiet through much of the early part of free agency. With limited cap room, it seemed they were going to target some specific players and then try to scrounge the bargain bin to fill out the roster. The going thought was the team would remain young and look to strike only if a player who fit the specific long-term vision.

The Magic’s goal ultimately was to create long-term flexibility and not tie up too much long-term money.

Orlando largely accomplished those goals. Jeff Weltman struck in free agency to sign Shelvin Mack to a two-year deal (the amount is debatable as is the role the Magic are going to rely on for Shelvin Mack). Then opportunity spun the Magic’s way as they signed Jonathon Simmons to a three-year, $18-million deal. And then Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights to veterans’ minimum contracts.

It felt like a good summer. And the early returns are good.

Undoubtedly, the Magic missed out on some of their targets. They were so quiet early on in the offseason, there had to be a few players they were chasing or waiting on to strike before spending what little funds they had.

Like what happened with Jonathon Simmons, it appeared they were willing to wait to see what shook down from the trees and make an offer.

Orlando was clearly looking for another post player — as seen in the team’s signing of Marreese Speights. Surprisingly, the Magic may have been looking for another similar player to Simmons who got let go.

Now-San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne told Emmanuel Larin of BasketUSA the Orlando Magic were among the teams that offered him as he considered what to do next in his career. The 25-year-old center was surprisingly released from the Chicago Bulls. He considered heading back to Europe but the chance to play with the Spurs was too much to pass up.

"“There were also European clubs, CSKA and Fenerbahçe,” Lauvergne said (via Google Translate). “In the NBA, there was Orlando and Sacramento. There was not enough difference in the amount of the contracts so I would go to a team where I knew I would find it hard to please myself.”"

Lauvergne said he considered the opportunities with CSKA or Fenerbahce on par with some NBA teams. But the Spurs are the Spurs. And he could not pass things up.

This comments might feel kind of reminiscent to Kevin Durant‘s comment about the Magic. Orlando is still trying to rebuild its reputation. And there were probably a few other misses in the bunch early in the summer.

There were probably a few more misses. And who is to say whether some of the Magic’s other signees would have come at the price the Magic got them for earlier in the summer. Patience was a virtue for Weltman and Orlando.

Lauvergne is an interesting player. He has not quite gotten a golden opportunity in the NBA yet. Lauvergne averaged 5.4 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game in 14.0 minutes per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls. He shot 33.7 percent from beyond the arc last year, taking about 1.0 3-point attempts per game.

Joffrey Lauvergne grew up with Evan Fournier and the two are reportedly very close. They came up through the national team system together. So it is a bit surprising that Lauvergne would throw the Magic away unless he is really looking to strike on his own.

Lauvergne is definitely thinking about going to place where he could get more playing time. With Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo on the Magic roster, Orlando was not likely the place for him. It makes sense that he would pass.

Lauvergne could very well fit the Magic’s new model of versatility and defensive length. But it is unclear exactly what the Magic offered.

Next: Orlando Magic due for unrepdictable 2018 season

The only thing that is clear is the Magic had some interest in Lauvergne. And Lauvergne opted to go in a different direction.