Roster turnover is one of the necessary evils of managing an NBA franchise.
There are only 15 spots on any given roster and any franchise worth their salt is constantly looking at which players are actively able to contribute to the roster at any given point of the season — including the offseason.
Players come and go — a maxim Orlando Magic fans have become experienced in over the past six months. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has undertaken a grand experiment of sorts and has completely reshaped the roster in what we assume is his grand vision of the future of the Orlando Magic.
While the trade deadline deals were a brash expression of the new direction of the Magic’s player acquisition philosophy, it is clear that the work is not over.
The Orlando Magic’s work on their roster is far from over. As the team looks to reshape the roster, there are several players who are likely on their way out this offseason.
This offseason, it is imperative for Weltman and his staff build a roster that can accentuate the Magic’s new core while preparing for the next few years of decision making and roster building.
With that in mind, we will be taking a look at players the Magic will likely not bring back next season.
A note: this list is just a prediction of players that may not return next season due to current roster needs and projections on the values of some players.
Gary Harris
Gary Harris may be a surprising name to find on this list for several reasons. Before there are clamors for my firing and particularly strongly worded comments fill this article, it is important to see how Harris would be a greater value to the Magic if he were traded.
Orlando Magic
Harris is a relatively young (26) and highly regarded player in the Orlando Magic locker room. Harris is an adept defensive player who is capable of guarding high-level players at both guard positions and small forwards.
When Harris is able to shoot efficiently, he provides value as a 3-and-D ace who can be inserted with the starting lineup in critical situations.
But Harris is on an expiring deal. He is owed more than $20 million dollars next season and his role within the Orlando Magic’s overcrowded backcourt rotation is already under fire before the NBA Draft.
If the Magic happen to draft yet another guard (which is entirely possible given the likelihood of the Magic getting the first overall pick), Harris becomes the elder statesman among the backcourt rotation.
These two factors could be the catalyst for Weltman to begin looking for a trade partner that is looking for a relatively young player capable of serving a valuable role on defense.
Now, if this sounds like a player that every team is looking for, that is because it is. Most teams would give up a luxury for a player of Harris’s caliber and if I were Weltman, I would seriously consider finding just how much of luxury he is worth.
The Magic certainly need veteran players in the locker room. But the combination of Harris’ recent arrival to the team and his expiring contract makes him a powerful trade chip as the Magic look to build their next phase.