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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 35: Free agency cometh

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Khem Birch #24 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic talk during the game against the Charlotte Hornets 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: Khem Birch #24 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic talk during the game against the Charlotte Hornets 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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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic’s Nikola Vucevic, middle, acknowledges the crowd as it is announced that he is on the 2019 NBA All Star Team before action against the Indiana Pacers at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic enter free agency with a lot of questions to answer about their key free agents and balancing their future with the present.

There is genuine excitement about the Orlando Magic for the first time in a long time.

Winning has that effect. Suddenly every player looks bright and is moving in the right direction. Optimism sets in a bit quicker and management get the benefit of the doubt.

The Magic’s surprise run to the playoffs last year — including a 42-40 record and Southeast Division title — gave the franchise a breath of fresh air.

Coach Steve Clifford proved to be a home-run hire as the team took to a culture and started to establish a way to play. Aaron Gordon turned in his best all-around season. Jonathan Isaac looked improved once he got his legs under him after a year full of injury. The team pulled off a move to acquire a former first overall pick in Markelle Fultz without giving up much of anything.

It was a great season. There is no getting around that. And it feels like something to build.

There is also genuine dread now about the offseason for the Magic.

The team will finally have to make a seeming final decision on Nikola Vucevic, who has long been the most divisive player on the roster. The latest reports say the Magic will sign Vucevic to a four-year $100 million deal.

Nikola Vucevic turned in an All-Star season and was critical to the team’s emergence. He provided consistency and a steady hand as other players found their roles and grew around him.

But he has his weaknesses. And Magic fans are well aware of them. The team feels like it is ready to transition somewhat to its future under Jeff Weltman and they have Mohamed Bamba waiting in the wings.

Orlando though does not want to slow down its progress. The team does not want to lose the momentum from its playoff appearance. And their signing Vucevic seems to prove they do not want to lose their spot.

That will put pressure on them to bring back both Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross back next year. The tough needle to thread is to get them back on friendly deals that will keep some financial flexibility as their young players grow.

It is a tough balance. The Magic want to win and continue their playoff journey, but they are still developing their team. Internal improvement is still the best way for them to move forward.

There are a lot of questions for the Magic to answer this offseason. It is the first time Weltman and the organization are facing pressure to map out their future now. Success is its own curse.

So what should the Magic do? How do they handle these big questions? There is precious little time to answer them and big questions to answer in this edition of the Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag.