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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 28: New Year’s Resolutions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jeff Weltman, John Hammond, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Weltman and John Hammond of the Orlando Magic during practice on November 17, 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) /

From Drew Chavez, via Facebook

"How has the new front office done so far? And should the magic make a push for the playoffs or tank?"

I think it is still a bit early to say exactly how the Orlando Magic’s front office is doing. This is essentially Year Zero of their rebuild. They did not have the ability to make a ton of moves with the Magic’s limited cap room this summer and so they opted to be smart and stay patient.

Rather than spending whatever cap room they had on more long-term deals, they stayed patient and looked for bargains. And this was absolutely the right strategy. Orlando has not harmed itself for the future and has started collecting at least a few players that will fit the future.

Jonathon Simmons‘ three-year, $18-million contract is manageable, viewed as a bargain around the league. Shelvin Mack‘s two-year, $12-million contract was a bit of an overpay, but only this season is fully guaranteed. Orlando went out and tried to add some impact players that might fit the team’s new ethos.

Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have done their best to keep financial flexibility. But, as we saw with Rob Hennigan, the early part of a rebuild can be pretty easy. It is when you start actually spending money that things can go south.

So judgment on Weltman should remain reserved.

Obviously the first big money decision is Aaron Gordon. That one already seems decided. To some extent too, Jeff Weltman will get judged on the deals he makes to flip over this core — Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier and Bismack Biyombo are going to be in the crosshairs a lot.

So far, it is fine. There is not a lot of urgency as they have to dig out of the mess they were left with from the previous management group.

This was not a season where results mattered. At this point, “tanking” or whatever you want to call it seems like the path the tema is headed. The Magic will get a high draft pick.

And, all of a sudden, a core of Gordon, Isaac and whoever the team picks with the draft pick looks like a nice place to start.