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5 biggest offseason needs for the Orlando Magic and how to fill them

By Philip Rossman-Reich

What the Orlando Magic do with Terrence Ross -- and replace his role -- will be key aspects of the offseason. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
What the Orlando Magic do with Terrence Ross -- and replace his role -- will be key aspects of the offseason. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mo Bamba, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
The Orlando Magic hold M Bamba’s restricted free agent rights and will need to decide how they want to handle his free agency. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic’s 2022 Offseason Needs

Backup Center

Looking at the Orlando Magic’s full depth chart, it is abundantly clear that the biggest immediate need to complete the roster will be at center.

The team is likely to start its draft pick alongside Wendell Carter, leaving that gaping hole behind them. Maybe Chet Holmgren fills that and serves as a backup if Jonathan Isaac starts quickly. But that also seems fairly unlikely.

The decision regarding Mo Bamba is a big one for the roster. If the Magic decide to re-sign him then they have committed that cap room to keep him and have locked up their backup center. But it seems unlikely he would take a demotion unless the Magic give him a big contract for his troubles.

As has been reported, it is feeling increasingly likely the Magic will let Bamba walk in free agency. They do not seem likely to re-sign him. That means the team will need to find a backup center and add some center depth at that. The only other center the team has on the roster is Moe Wagner at the moment.

Orlando certainly could head to the draft to add some center depth. There are some interesting center prospects that could go early in the second round like Khalifa Diop, Ismael Kamagate or Walker Kessler.

All certainly could help the team. But rookies are always a bit raw and centers especially need more time to develop.

More likely the Magic will seek a trade or free agency to address this need.

But even free agency finds the team short on center options. The best backup bigs available might be limited to Thomas Bryant, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard. Bryant is at least somewhat intriguing, but injuries have largely derailed his career. The other choices are not going to inspire a ton of confidence.

The Magic may have to do as they did when they signed Khem Birch and find someone overseas ready to make the trip over to the NBA.

That may lead the Magic back to Bamba, matching his contract just to keep him as an asset. The team needs some mid-tier salaries to be able to trade down the road. If Bamba is willing to accept a role off the bench and still be involved with the team, then there is still clearly a place for him.

He may well be the best option for the Magic.

This could be a major storyline for the offseason. Orlando has to find a backup center somewhere. That is the biggest immediate goal for the Magic and something they have to fill adequately for next season.