Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 35: Free agency cometh

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MEXICO CITY, MX – DECEMBER 15: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz as part of the NBA Mexico Games 2018 on December 15, 2018 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The point guard issue

Is the possibility of Brogdon on the team a much better option than D-Lo? A player much cheaper with the ability to play the 1 and 2, while still showing faith in Fultz. It makes sense to me
— Phil Harlow (@philharlowuk) June 27, 2019

Ask about the Orlando Magic and there are probably a few needs that are pretty clear.

The big one is finding some perimeter creation and someone who can attack off the dribble in one-on-one situations. In the playoffs, the Toronto Raptors were able to choke off the Orlando Magic by blitzing pick and rolls and pressuring the magic’s ball handlers. They struggled to break free without Nikola Vucevic as a safety valve.

Positionally, most would point to point guard as the biggest position of need. Not because D.J. Augustin played poorly. But because it is clear the team wants to move in a new direction.

Many of the wildest dreams for the Magic in free agency have included D’Angelo Russell, Malcolm Brogdon or some other point guard option. It feels like everyone is focused on improving that position most of all.

But like the center position, the Magic want to play things somewhat safe. Orlando stuck with the incumbent center in Nikola Vucevic until Mohamed Bamba is better. But the Magic probably did not want to make too deep an investment in point guard for the same reason.

With the Magic’s offer to Vucevic pending, they will not have enough room to go after the big-name point guards like Russell (likely to command near max money) or Brogdon (who looks in line to get a $20-million contract).

But the Magic are looking for point guards it seems. The team is rumored to be interested in Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky and fans have eyed Memphis Grizzlies restricted free agent Delon Wright. There is a need there.

However, that need may be filled on the roster already. The Magic should not rely on Markelle Fultz fully. They have to hedge their bet and that is why there should be some focus at point guard. But it was always a little much to say the team would go after a max-level point guard with Fultz sitting on the roster.

Orlando made that move because it believes in Fultz. And while the team is not expecting Fultz to come in and start right away — in my estimation, they should treat this season as his rookie year — but ultimately they think he will be the starter for the team.

They could at least delay finding a starter-level player for another year — the team is very comfortable with Augustin as the point guard. So it is more delayed timing on filling this need.

As I said, the Magic’s best bet for improvement everywhere is internal.