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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 30: New Beginnings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 09: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 09: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Dante Exum, Utah Jazz, Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 4: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

I detailed the Orlando Magic’s cap situation earlier. Essentially, Orlando only has the mid-level exception available to them if they keep Aaron Gordon. And regardless of that, they have to resolve Gordon’s free agency first — they have about $8 million of cap room if they renounce all their other free agents with just Gordon’s cap hold.

So where does that leave the team searching for a point guard?

I addressed the guard situation a bit in an earlier question. But perhaps here is an opportunity to dive a little bit deeper into the class.

Obviously, the easiest answer to the point guard question is to draft one. Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young and Alabama Crimson Tide guard Collin Sexton are the best true point guards in the class. But, as I said earlier, the Magic should not be drafting for need. They need everything.

In the second round, there are some interesting point guard prospects to consider though. Players like Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson, USC Trojans guard De’Anthony Melton, SMU Mustangs guard Shake MIlton (a long 6-foot-6 combo guard), Wichita State Shockers guard Landry Shamet or West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter all could be available when the Magic draft there.

But those are all backup options. None of those players is likely to resolve the Magic’s long-term point guard problems. Unless they are incredible steals.

Again, the Magic are not likely to have the cap room to go after a starter-caliber point guard. Maybe they could try to fish for a young player like the ones you suggested?

So looking at the free agent point guards, you have Avery Bradley, Tony Parker, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart (restricted), Dante Exum (restricted) and Fred VanVleet (restricted). It is not the strongest free agent point guard class.

Signing a restricted free agent will be tough. Every team has their mid-level exception (of varying values depending on their taxpayer status) and teams seem likely willing to accept them.

We have a pretty vigorous debate on the OMD Slack channel about Dante Exum especially. I do not see how the Utah Jazz let him go without overpaying him. And it is really difficult to value him in any true sense because of his history of injuries (and the latest one that knocked him out of the Playoffs).

I still believe at least. But not enough to offer him the full mid-level. And with this team’s lack of shooting, would Exum really be the point guard to invest in for the future? Sure, take a flyer on him but a multi-year deal? Not with this group.

Such is the problem. None of those players seems like they are a long-term starting point guard option for this or any team. And the Magic do not have the money likely to compete for the best guys — even in this tight market.