Orlando Magic Daily
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5 under-the-radar free agents the Orlando Magic should pursue

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 25: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets is defended by Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 25, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets

The Orlando Magic had all the cards in their favor and seemed set to cruise to the playoffs as the season wound down. The only threat came from the Charlotte Hornets who were hanging on by a thread and trailing the Toronto Raptors on the road.

Jeremy Lamb changed that, draining a 3-pointer from long range and giving the Hornets the win. From there, Charlotte made a furious run to put serious pressure on Orlando and the final playoff spot. If the Orlando Magic had not beaten the Boston Celtics on the penultimate game of the season, the final game in Charlotte would have been a play-in game for the two teams.

That is how close things were.

Kemba Walker (a free agent himself) was a big part of why Charlotte made that run. But Lamb played a big role in it too — beyond the big shot he made in Toronto.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

It took Lamb a while to find his footing in the league, but he carved out a good role with the Hornets the last two years. He averaged a career-high 15.3 points per game last year, shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc.

While his 3-point percentage is not particularly high, he has the reputation of a good shooter. That part is important in the long run. Teams have to respect his shot.

If the Magic lose Terrence Ross, Jeremy Lamb would not be a terrible replacement.

A big thing for the Magic too this year is continuity. They will have the same coach after a successful season. Adding new elements always disrupts some things.

But Lamb could hit the ground running thanks to his familiarity with the entirety of Orlando’s coaching staff. He played for Clifford in Charlotte from 2016-18. Lamb progressively got better in the course of those three seasons with the Hornets under Clifford.

That is always something the Magic want to see from players they are acquiring.

Lamb is coming off a three-year, $21-million contract. He could be in line for a little bit of a raise and could command the full mid-level exception in free agency. Lamb is flying very under the radar as a potential role player.

But there are lots of teams he could fit in with. The Magic are certainly among them.

If Orlando loses Ross, Lamb should probably be their top target to replace him.