5 free agents the Orlando Magic can throw a bag at

Free agents the Orlando Magic can throw the bag at

Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors

The Orlando Magic seem like the team is going the cheaper rout with Isaiah Hartenstein. Maybe “cheap” is the wrong word. Econmical might be right.

Everyone is always afraid to overpay big men especially. And for sure, the Magic do not want to get trapped.

But if Orlando plays things right, that would not matter. We know the Magic like to hand out front-loaded contracts. And right now, money and cap room is pretty useless for this team except as something to eat up.

The Magic can give a lot of money on the front end of deals and make some mistakes. Of course, that requires the team front-loading contracts. And short-term contracts after that.

So the Magic could easily think a bit bigger and think about taking a risk. And someone who is perhaps under the radar is Toronto Raptors center Chris Boucher.

Boucher had an odd year, bouncing in and out of the starting lineup and even the rotation for the Raptors last year. He averged 9.4 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4-percent from the floor. He added 0.9 blocks per game.

To say the least, Boucher had a solid season but a come-back-to-earth season. During the 2021 season, Boucher averaged 13.6 ponts per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game. He shot 51.4-percent from the floor and 38.3-percent from beyond the arc.

That is the player you would be hoping to sign. Not the inconsistent offensive player and even defender from this past season.

That is what is making it so hard to assess Boucher’s value. He could very well get a contract north of $15 million. That might be the kind of deal that leaves someone holding the bag.

Boucher might be that guy nobody wants to get stuck with. But that could also lead to his value decreasing. And he could be someone who gives the Magic a good boost and versatility off the bench.